In linguistic usage, sunnah means a way or course.

In the Sacred Law, it refers to the Prophet’s statements, actions, and tacit approvals—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

In the terminology of the scholars of legal theory, it is that which he commanded without making it binding.

His statement, “for the one intending it,” means: for the one intending the rite.

His statement, “bathing”: this is because it is established from the Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—both in his practice and in his command.

As for his practice, he “removed his garments for entering ihram and bathed.” (1)

As for his command, Asma bint Umays, the wife of Abu Bakr—may Allah be pleased with them both—experienced postnatal bleeding at Dhu al-Hulayfah; that is, she gave birth to her son Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr. She sent word to the Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—asking, “What should I do?” He said, “Bathe, secure yourself with a cloth, and enter ihram.” (2) “Secure yourself” means: take precautions to contain the bleeding. The point of evidence here is his statement, “Bathe.” He instructed her to bathe even though she was in postnatal bleeding, and this bath would not permit her to pray or to perform any other act for which ritual purity is required.

His statement, “It is sunnah for the one intending it”: “one intending” is an active participle in a genitive construction, and the active participle functions like a relative noun. Indeed, grammarians say that the definite article in an active participle is a relative particle. Ibn Malik—may Allah have mercy on him—said: