Question:
Is it obligatory for the one that enters into Islam to take a ghusl (bath) before or after he pronounces his shahadatain?
Answer:
As it comes in the hadith of Thumamah bin Uthal (May Allah be pleased with him) [the one tied to the pillar in the masjid] in Sahih Bukhari, that he took a bath then took his shahaadah, as for the story of Salman al-Faarasi (May Allah be pleased with him), he took his shahaada at that moment before he took a bath. It is not a condition of the one pronouncing his shahaadah to take a bath to enter Islam. And actually it opposes hastening one to enter into Islam. Know, that one is to enter Islam then take a bath.
Answered by: Shaikh Abu Abdillah Muhammad Ba Jamaal (May Allah preserve him)
Source : https://t.me/OfficialChannelShaykhBaajammaal/14
Translated by : Abu Yusuf Bilal ibn Howard Robinson