Is it permissible to perform ghusl for seminal emission if it was merely a wet dream without physical contact?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
No. Nocturnal emission (احتلام) differs from masturbation (عادة سرية) in ruling and meaning. Nocturnal emission is when a sleeping person dreams as if they are engaging in intercourse, and if they wake up and see semen, then (ritual bath) is obligatory. There is no sin in it, and it does not invalidate the fast.
As for masturbation, it is self-stimulation while awake, and it is forbidden. Ghusl becomes obligatory if semen is discharged, and it invalidates the fast if it occurs during the day and semen is discharged.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/115588
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 115588
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy