Question:
Is it permitted to wash the body only once in the ritual bath?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate,
Assalamu ‘alaykum dear brother or sister in faith,
What is required in the ritual bath (ghusl) is to wash the entire body as well as the mouth and nose, along with orifices that are easily accessed (i.e. the outer genitalia, ear piercing, and inner navel) This is required only once, but it is sunnah to wash thrice. [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah]
In wudu,’ however, washing of the mouth and nose is an emphasized sunna, and washing thrice is another sunna.
Please note, that while washing the required limbs in ghusl once is valid, it should not be made habitual. Omitting emphasized sunnas without excuse is blameworthy, and consistent omission without excuse may be sinful. This is true for both wudu’ and ghusl.
Allah, Most High, knows best.
[Ustadha] Iman Badawi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani