Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Asalaam u alaikum,

I have been having erotic dreams (even while fasting!), I believe it is due to the fact that I am not yet married as I have not yet found a suitable mate. When these dreams occur, I sometimes have secretions. I know when males have these wet dreams, they are required to perform Ghusl before praying, does this apply to women as well?

Also, as these dreams occur even when I am fasting, what should I do to try to stop having them at all?

MAy Allah bless you for your efforts.

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Answer:

Wet dream fast ghusl

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Beloved Sister in Islam, we absolutely assure you that we never ever post the name or the email address of the brother or sister who poses a question on our humble forum, nor do we disclose the name or email address to anyone or any other site….thus you may ask any question you desire in absolute anonymity.

Your Question: I know when males have these wet dreams, they are required to perform Ghusl before praying, does this apply to women as well?

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith1.132 Narrated by Um Salama, the wife of the Prophet (saws)

Um-Sulaim came to Allah's Messenger (saws) and said, "Verily, Allah is not shy of (telling you) the truth. Is it necessary for a woman to take a ‘ghusl’ (full bath) after she has a wet dream (nocturnal sexual discharge?)’ The Prophet (saws) replied, "Yes, if she notices a discharge." Um Salama, then covered her face and asked, "O Allah's Messenger (saws)! Does a woman get a (sexual) discharge (too)?" He (saws) replied, "Yes.”

If a woman has a wet dream, and she notices a discharge, it is absolutely obligatory for the believing woman to purify herself with a ‘ghusl’ or full bath before she makes herself available for prayer.

Your Question: Also, as these dreams occur even when I am fasting,

The absolute majority of the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that if one were to intentionally and voluntarily release one’s full sexual discharge (mani) through sexual intercourse or masturbation, it would indeed invalidate one’s fast.

But if one experiences an involuntary sexual discharge or ‘wet-dream’ during the hours of fasting, that does not invalidate one’s fast in the least. One who experiences a ‘wet-dream’ while fasting should continue their fast till sunset, and purify themselves with a ‘ghusl’ before they make themselves available for prayer.

Your Question: what should I do to try to stop having them at all?

Beloved Sister in Islam, the involuntary ‘wet-dream’ discharge is natural process whereby the body releases the sexual discharge of the man or the woman. Because a ‘wet-dream’ discharge is beyond one’s control, it’s occurrence is not considered a sin in Shariah.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.4 Narrated by Abdullah

We were with the Prophet (saws) while we were young and had no wealth whatever. So Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty, and whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power."

The absolute best way of avoiding the occurrence of ‘wet-dreams’ is to marry, and if for a genuine reason one is unable to marry, then one should keep fasts as fasting diminishes one’s sexual power.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan