The inquirer says, “A young man experienced a wet dream and performed the purificatory ritual bath, then slept and experienced it once more. Is it obligatory upon him to take another purificatory bath, or is the first one sufficient?”

It is established in Islamic law that performing the purificatory bath (ghusl) becomes obligatory whenever semen is discharged with sexual desire, or with desire deemed present under Islamic law, as in the case of a person who experiences a wet dream. This is based on the words of Allah Almighty, “And if you are in a state of major ritual impurity, then purify yourselves” (Quran, 5: 6). The linguistic usage of the Arabic word for major ritual impurity, junub, refers to one from whom semen has been discharged due to sexual pleasure. The basis for the obligation of the purificatory ritual bath is that certain acts of worship, such as remembrance of Allah and prayer, are not permissible while in a state of major ritual impurity.[1] Based on this, when semen is discharged—whether due to sexual intercourse or as a result of a wet dream—the purificatory ritual bath becomes obligatory upon anyone who intends to perform an act that is impermissible while in a state of major ritual impurity.

Accordingly, if a person who has experienced a wet dream performs the purificatory ritual bath, then sleeps and experiences another wet dream, the cause of the obligation arises once again. He is therefore required to perform an additional purificatory ritual bath if he intends to engage in acts that are impermissible while in a state of major ritual impurity after the second discharge. Likewise, each subsequent wet dream after performing the purificatory ritual bath requires another one whether it is the second, third, or any later occurrence, as explained above.

And Allah Almighty knows best.