Question Summary:
Is ghusl (bath) required if one browses websites containing nudity?

Question Detail:

I have a question that if someone is browsing websites like facebook and youtube and accidentally saw something which is nude or pornographic in nature, does he have to take ghusl?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is a despicable and a Haram act for a muslim to visit websites which contain nudity or pornography in nature. As a muslim, one should abstain from visiting websites in which one has the fear of being exposed to such contents. Once a person becomes careless in what he views, it will soon lead things which are more detrimental to his Iman. However, one should be more cautious regarding this matter and repent to Allah for this sin.
Furthermore, if one experiences any discharge while viewing such contents, then the Shari’āh ruling regarding this issue is as followed:
There are three types of fluids that are discharged from a male’s private part besides urine:[1]
1.      Man’i – Sperm: A white thick fluid which emits at the time of ejaculation.
2.      Mazi – Pre-coital fluid: A clear thin fluid which emits due to sexual arousement.
3.      Wadi – Liquid that precedes urine.
Ghusl will become fardh due to the emission of Mani.
Ghusl will not become fardh due to the emission of Mazi and Wadi. Only wudu will have to be made.
In your case of browsing through websites such as Facebook and Youtube, the wetness you perceived is most likely Mazi.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Abdul Hannan Nizami,
Student Darul Iftaa
USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net