What Is the Correct Intention for a Ghusl After Menses?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question 

I know that having the intention is a condition of the ‘major ritualistic bath (ghusl).’ Is the following intention sufficient for the ghusl after menstruation: “I intend to lift a state of major ritual impurity (janaba) and purify myself for prayer”? I read that the state of someone after her menses has finished is the same as one in a state of janaba. Please advise me, what is the correct intention for a ghusl after menses?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. 

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to that which is pleasing to Him.  

Dual Purpose Bathing (Ghusl)

A woman who needs to lift a state of major ritual impurity (janaba), and purify after menstruation, performs the purificatory bath for either of these as it suffices for both. [Misri, ʿUmda Al-Salik]

In other words, whether she intended the bath for the completion of her menses or janaba, the bath suffices her for both, and Allah knows best.

Correct Intentions

It is important to note that “the place of the intention is the heart.” [Shirbini, Al-Iqnaʿ] 

The relied-upon view of the Shafi’i School is that articulating the intention is only recommended – not obligatory. [Nawawi, Minhaj Al-Talibin]

The above positions entail that as long as you are acutely aware of what you are doing and why you are doing it, this suffices as the required intention in the Shafi’i School for all acts of devotion, and Allah knows best.

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan. 

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.