What actions are recommended for a person in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah) before sleeping, engaging in sexual intercourse again, or eating?
Chapter on Ghusl from Janabah (Major Impurity)
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
It is recommended (mustahabb) for a person in a state of janabah, if they wish to sleep, engage in intercourse a second time, or eat, to wash their private parts and perform ablution (wudu). This view is narrated from Ali and Abdullah ibn Umar. Abdullah ibn Umar used to perform ablution except washing his feet. Mujahid stated that washing the hands is sufficient for eating, based on a narration from Aisha that the Prophet, peace be upon him, washed his hands when he intended to eat while in a state of janabah. This narration was reported by Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah. Malik stipulated washing the hands if they were soiled.
Supporting text
Ibn Al-Musayyib and the companions of the school of thought (Ahl al-Ra'y) held that the person may sleep without touching water. This is based on a narration from Aisha stating that the Prophet, peace be upon him, used to sleep while in janabah without touching water. Ahmad also narrated in his Musnad a similar report indicating the Prophet would sleep without touching water until rising later for the full bath (ghusl). They argue that since janabah is a state requiring ghusl, recommending wudu while the major impurity remains is not appropriate, similar to menstruation.