Does experiencing a wet dream require performing ghusl?

If a person experiences a wet dream but, upon waking, does not find any wetness on their body or clothes, ghusl is not required. (Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, 1/164) Conversely, if someone does not remember having a dream but finds wetness on their body or clothes upon waking, then ghusl is required. (Abu Dawud, Taharah, 92-93 [236-237]; Tirmidhi, Taharah, 82 [113])

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: “The Messenger of Allah was asked, ‘If someone wakes up and finds wetness on their clothes but does not remember having a wet dream, is ghusl required?’ He replied, ‘Yes, they must perform ghusl.’ Then he was asked about someone who remembers having a wet dream but does not find any wetness: ‘Ghusl is not required for them,’ he said. Umm Sulaym (may Allah be pleased with her) asked, ‘If a woman experiences this, does she also have to perform ghusl?’ He replied, ‘Yes! Women are like men in this regard.’” (Abu Dawud, Taharah, 92 [236]; Tirmidhi, Taharah, 82 [113]) Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) also narrates: “Umm Sulaym (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) whether a woman who sees what a man sees in a dream must perform ghusl. The Messenger of Allah replied, ‘Yes, if she notices wetness.’” (Abu Dawud, Taharah, 93 [237]; Nasa’i, Taharah, 131 [196]; see also Muslim, Hayd, 32-33 [313-314]) Therefore, women must also perform ghusl if they see wetness on their clothes after experiencing a wet dream, just like men.

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu