Combining Ghusl for sexual impurity and Ghusl for Friday
Fatwa No: 88636

Question

I want to know if Ghusl sexual impurity and Ghusl Friday and be combined together.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

One Ghusl (ceremonial bath) is enough for both the Friday prayer and to purify oneself from sexual impurity according to the opinion of most of the people of knowledge. An-Nawawi said quoting the words of Ibn Al-Munthir 'Most of the scholars say: 'One Ghusl is enough for Friday and sexual impurity.' This is the view of Ibn 'Umar and Mujaahid, Mak-hool, Maalik, Ath-Thawri, Al-Awzaa'ee, Ash-Shaafi'ee and Abu Thawr. Imaam Ahmad said: 'I hope that one Ghusl is enough.' Abu Qataadah, (the companion) told the person who had a bath to remove sexual impurity to have another bath for Friday. Moreover, some of the Thahiria school said that one Ghusl does not serve for the other.

Ibn Qudaamah said: 'If a person has one Ghusl having the intention for both Friday and for sexual impurity, then it is enough. And we do not know a difference of opinion about it.'  If a person makes Ghusl for sexual impurity and did not intend it for Friday as well then there are two different opinions: The first opinion is that one Ghusl does not serve instead of the other.

It is reported that one of the children of Abu Qataadah entered to him after having made Ghusl, so Abu Qataadah asked him: 'Did you make Ghusl for Friday?' His son replied: 'No. It is due to sexual impurity.' Therefore, Abu Qataadah said: 'Then perform another Ghusl for Friday.' This applies to the saying of the Prophet :

"Actions are judged according to their intentions…."

The second opinion is that one Ghusl serves for the other, because a person has made Ghusl anyway, and therefore, it is included in the general meaning of the narration. The purpose is to wash (purify) oneself, and that is achieved by having Ghusl.  It is reported in some narrations that "Whoever has a bath on Friday to remove sexual impurity..."

To conclude a person has to intend both Ghusl at the same time just for the purpose of being safe from this controversy. 

Allaah knows best.

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