Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I have a query about washing the penis in ghusl. Like many Muslims, I was circumcised at a young age. I have noticed recently that around the circumcised area where there the two cut parts seem to join if I pull slightly more skin can be revealed underneath. This area is approximately a few millimietres by a few millimetres. When I noticed this I was worried that my ghusl would not be valid if I did not wash this as water would not be going over all the body. Do I need to do this or is this area classified as being under the skin? Also I only realised this recently so what about previous ghusls? Also perhaps harm may come to my body from this if I keep doing this for fard ghusls? Please clarify and I can give you more details if you require. JazakAllahu khayran, Assalamu alaykum, Br. Abu Muslim.
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits.
The sunna of ritual baths (ghusl) is to wash one’s private parts first; then remove any filth; then perform a full wudu; and then perform a full bath, washing one’s body completely three full times. (Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah)
Following the sunna in any matter is the best of ways, and it invariably takes care of the legal limits and considerations.
In your specific case, you can assume that the water reached that area during the washing, though in future you should specifically wash it if you are able to do so without hardship or pain. (Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar)
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani