Commentary on the Hadith Concerning Making Ghusl after a Wet Dream

Praise be to Allah,

 

Narrated Umm Salamah (R.A), the Mother of the believers: Umm Sulaim (R.A), the wife of Aboo Talha (R.A), came to Allaah’s Messenger (PBUH) and said,

 

“O Messenger of Allaah! Verily, Allaah is not shy, to tell the truth. Is it necessary for a woman to take a bath after she has a wet dream (nocturnal sexual discharge)?” Allaah’s Messenger (PBUH) replied, “Yes if she notices a discharge.”[i]

 

In a version in Muslim: Umm Salamah (R.A) said,

“O Messenger of Allaah, can a woman have a wet dream?” He (PBUH) said, “May your hands be rubbed with dust, how else would her child resemble her?”[ii]

 

 

Important Points Derived from the Hadeeth:

 

1. It is obligatory for the woman to take a Ghusl if she experiences a nocturnal sexual discharge and sees its traces (after awakening).

 

2. That women experience sexual discharge (orgasm) just as men do; and that this discharge is the cause of the likeness between the parent and child, as indicated in the narration of Sahih Muslim.

 

It was narrated from Qataadah that Anas ibn Maalik told them that Umm Sulaim narrated, that she asked the Prophet of Allaah (PBUH) about a woman who sees in her dreams what a man sees (i.e., wetness or emission of fluid). The Messenger of Allaah (PBUH) said,

 

“If a woman sees that, let her perform Ghusl.” Umm Salamah said: I felt shy of that, and I said, “Does that really happen?” The Prophet of Allaah (PBUH) said, “How else does resemblance (of the child to either parent) happen? The water of man is thick and white, and the water of women is thin and yellow. Whichever of them prevails, or comes first, the resemblance will be (to that parent).[iii]”

 

 

3. Affirmation of the characteristic of al-Hayaa’ (Modesty) for Allaah, the Majestic and Most High, in a way that is fitting for His Majesty. Though this characteristic of al-Hayaa’ would not be a cause for Allaah to refrain from speaking the Truth.

 

4. Al-Hayaa’ (modesty or shyness) should never prevent someone from seeking knowledge, even concerning such issues which one would normally be shy to discuss in front of others.

 

It was narrated from Safiyyah (R.A) and she narrates from ‘Aishah (R.A) that Asmaa’ (R.A) asked the Prophet (PBUH) about Ghusl following menses. He (PBUH) said,

 

“Let one of you take her water and Sidr (lote tree) leaves and clean herself well, then let her pour water over her head and rub it vigorously so that it will reach the roots of her hair. Then let her pour water over herself, then take a piece of cloth scented with musk and purify herself.” Asmaa’ (R.A) said, “How should she purify herself?” He said, “Subhaan-Allah (Glorious is Allaah)! Purify yourself with it.” ‘Aa’ishah (R.A) said – as she whispered it to her – “Follow the traces of blood.” And she asked him about Ghusl in the case of Janaabah. He said, “Let her take water and clean herself well – or clean herself thoroughly – then let her pour water over her head and rub it so that it reaches the roots of the hair, then let her pour water over herself.” ‘Aa’ishah (R.A) said, “How good the women of Ansaar were! They did not let shyness prevent them from understanding their religion properly.”[iv]

 

 

5. It is considered good behavior and proper speech, when addressing others, to introduce a topic, that people are normally shy to discuss, with some introductory remarks suitable for the occasion, to prepare the listeners for what will come. This will reduce the effect upon the listeners from such a subject and lessen the chance of the speaker being considered rude, impolite, or ill-mannered.

 

6. The excellence of Umm Sulaim for her eagerness to understand the religion and her good etiquette for bringing forth that which paves the way for her excuse.

Allah knows Best.

Copied from Sources:

Arousing the Intellects with the Explanation of Umdatul Ahkaam. The Book Of At-Taharaah by Allama Sheikh Salih Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him). page  89

Tayseer al-Allaam Sharh Umdatul-Ahkaam by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Abdur – Rahmaan Aal Bassaam. Page 68

 

[i] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 1, Book 5, Hadeeth Number 282, p. 201

[ii] Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 3, Hadeeth Number 712, p. 428; Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 1, Book 3, Hadeeth Number 130, p. 132

[iii] Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 3, Hadeeth Number 710, p. 427] – Ed.

[iv] [Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 3, Hadeeth Number 750, p. 445] – Ed.