❀ Number of Ghusl After Intercourse and Levels of Purification ❀
❖ Question:
If a man engages in intercourse with his wife twice, is one ghusl (ritual bath) obligatory or two?
✔ Answer by: Fadīlat al-ʿĀlim Khidr Hayat ḥafiẓahullāh
◈ Sharʿī Ruling: Only One Ghusl is Obligatory
According to Islamic law, only one ghusl is obligatory, even if intercourse takes place multiple times. This ghusl becomes obligatory after the final act of intercourse.
This is supported by the narration of Sayyidunā Anas (رضي الله عنه):
"كَانَ يَطُوفُ عَلَى نِسَائِهِ بِغُسْلٍ وَاحِدٍ"
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 309)
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would visit his wives during the night and perform one ghusl for all of them.”
◈ The Sunnah and Preferred Practice
Though one ghusl is sufficient, the preferable and recommended Sunnah is to perform ghusl in between if intending to engage in intercourse again.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"هَذَا أَزْكَى وَأَطْيَبُ وَأَطْهَرُ"
(Musnad Aḥmad: 22742, Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 219)
“This is more purifying, cleaner, and more wholesome.”
◈ Settling with Only Wuḍūʾ in Between
If full ghusl is not performed between two intercourses, performing only wuḍūʾ (ablution) is also sufficient.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إِذَا أَتَى أَحَدُكُمْ أَهْلَهُ ثُمَّ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَعُودَ فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ بَيْنَهُمَا وُضُوءًا"
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 466)
“If one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again, he should perform wuḍūʾ in between.”
And in another narration:
"وُضُوءَهُ لِلصَّلَاةِ"
(Musnad Aḥmad: 10795)
“He should perform wuḍūʾ as he does for prayer.”
◈ Three Levels of Purification Between Intercourses
Islam outlines three levels of purification between multiple intercourses:
① Performing both ghusl and wuḍūʾ in between – ❀ This is the most virtuous and purifying method.
② Performing only wuḍūʾ – ✔ This is also from the Sunnah and acceptable.
③ Performing neither ghusl nor wuḍūʾ – ◈ This is permissible, but does not reflect the highest standard of cleanliness.
Conclusion:
While only one ghusl is obligatory after multiple intercourses, Islam encourages believers to observe higher levels of purification by either performing wuḍūʾ or ghusl in between for enhanced cleanliness, purity, and spiritual refinement.
