Does the one who takes a shower to cool down have to do wudoo’ for prayer?

Praise be to Allaah.

It is mustahabb for a Muslim to do wudoo’ before ghusl, following the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

If ghusl is done in cases of major impurity such as janaabah (impurity following sexual activity) and menstruation, and the person washes his entire body with water, as well as rinsing out the mouth and nose, then it is sufficient and there is no need to do wudoo’. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do wudoo’ after doing ghusl.

You will find more details on this in the answer to question no. 56067

But if the “ghusl” is done to cool down or to clean oneself, then it does not take the place of wudoo’.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Does ghusl following janaabah take the place of wudoo’?

He replied:

If a person is in a state of janaabah and he does ghusl, then that is sufficient and he does not need to do wudoo’, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

{If you are in a state of Janaaba (i.e. after a sexual discharge), purify yourselves (bathe your whole body)} [Al-Maa’idah:6]

There is no need to repeat wudoo’ after doing ghusl. But if one of the things that break wudoo’ takes place, and he breaks his wudoo’ after doing ghusl, then he must do wudoo’ But if he does not break his wudoo’ then his doing ghusl from janaabah takes the place of wudoo’, whether he did wudoo’ before doing ghusl or not. But it is essential to pay attention to rinsing the mouth and nose, because doing so is essential in both wudoo’ and ghusl. End quote.

(Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, [11/question no.180]).

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was also asked: Does ghusl that is not prescribed or required according to sharee’ah take the place of wudoo’?

He replied:

Ghusl that is not prescribed or required according to sharee’ah does not take the place of wudoo’, because it is not an act of worship. End quote.

(Majmoo’ Fataawa al_Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, [11/question no.181]).

He (may Allaah have mercy on him) was also asked: Does taking a bath take the place of wudoo’?

He replied:

If a person takes a bath because of janaabah, then it takes the place of wudoo’, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

{If you are in a state of Janaaba (i.e. after a sexual discharge), purify yourselves (bathe your whole body)} [Al-Maa’idah:6]

If a person is junub and he immerses himself in a bathtub or river or the like, intending thereby to cleanse himself of janaabah, and he rinses his mouth and nose, then he purifies himself from both minor and major impurity, because Allaah, may He be exalted, only enjoined us to purify ourselves from janaabah, i.e., we should ensure that water reaches all parts of the body when doing ghusl.

But it is better for the person who is doing ghusl to do wudoo’ first, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to wash his private parts after washing his hands, then he would do wudoo’ as for prayer, then he would pour water over his head, and when he thought that it had reached the skin, he poured water over his head three times, then he would wash the rest of his body.

But if a person takes a bath to clean himself or to cool himself down, then this does not take the place of wudoo’, because that is not an act of worship, rather it is just an ordinary action, although Islam prescribes cleanliness.

Whatever the case, if the bath is taken to cool down or get clean, then it does not take the place of wudoo’. End quote.

(Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, [11/question no.182]).

And Allaah knows best.