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Two Intentions for the Same Ghusl

-If a person has a Ghusl with the intention to remove two forms of impurity, then one Ghusl is sufficient. 

Al-‘Uthaymeen explains that the intention connected to Ghusl is of four scenarios:

1-That a person intends to remove impurification from his body with one Ghusl (such as removing Janaabah and menses), this is permissible.

2-That a person makes Ghusl with the intent to remove a major impurity (such as Janaabah) without intending to remove the minor one (Wudhoo). The correct opinion here is that both forms of impurity are removed thereby, and is the opinion of Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah based on the Aayah, “If you are in a state of Janaba (i.e. had a sexual discharge), purify yourself (bathe your whole body)” [5:6].

3-That a person intends to have a Ghusl not to remove a major impurity (such as bathing for personal hygiene or to cool down etc.) then this doesn’t suffice for Wudhoo. This is because he does not intend to purify himself from an impurity.

4-That a person makes Ghusl with the intent to become pure from a major impurity but doesn’t intend to purify himself from the minor one (Wudhoo), in this case his Ghusl is acceptable, his major impurity is remove but he needs to perform a separate Wudhoo, as he didn’t have the intention to purify himself from minor impurities.

Uthaymeen states that the difference between #2 and #4 is the intention. In #2 the person intended to remove both major and minor impurities but in #4 the person intended to remove the major one only. However, #4 is very rare, as people often seek to remove major impurities so that they can purify themselves for worship etc. in which case they have attained #2.


This is all based on the Hadeeth of ‘Umar al-Khattaab [may Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Actions are but by intentions.” [al-Bukhaaree (1) and Muslim Muslim (1907)]
Originally published on the AhleDhikr blog.
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