Is it sufficient to perform ritual bathing (ghusl) after menstruation or seminal discharge by only putting one's head under the shower once, while running fingers through the hair to ensure water reaches the scalp, instead of pouring three handfuls of water over the head, especially if the hair is long and thick?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The obligation in is to ensure water reaches all hair and skin, including the roots of the hair. As for pouring three scoops on the head, that is recommended (mustahabb), not obligatory. So, if water reaches what it is obligated to reach by any means and in any number, the purpose has been achieved, and one is absolved of the obligatory ghusl. Based on this, this ghusl is undoubtedly valid.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/191978
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 191978
- 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