What is the intended meaning of 'Ghassala wa Ightasala' (He washed and bathed) in the context of the Friday purification rites?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Friday Prayer
Primary text
The phrase 'Ghassala wa Ightasala' is understood by Ahmad, along with a group of the Successors (Tabi'in) such as 'Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Aswad and Hilal ibn Yasaf, to mean that a man should engage in intimacy with his wife ('Ghassala' meaning he had sexual intercourse) and then perform the major ablution ('Ightasala'). This practice is recommended so that the man remains calm, restrains his gaze, and maintains modesty on his way to the mosque.
Supporting text
A secondary interpretation, attributed to Ibn al-Mubarak, suggests that 'Ghassala' refers to washing one's head, and 'Ightasala' refers to bathing the rest of the body. Another interpretation suggests that 'Ghassala' means performing the major ablution equivalent to that required after sexual impurity ('ghusl al-janaba').