And the Quran indicates that bathing suffices, and that after bathing to remove major ritual impurity, no other ritual impurity remains. Rather, minor ritual impurity is subsumed within major ritual impurity, just as the washing required for the former is part of that required for the latter, since the latter includes washing all four bodily areas.

This is supported by the Prophet’s words, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to Umm ‘Atiyyah and the other women who washed his daughter:

“Wash her three times, or five, or more than that if you deem it necessary, with water and lote leaves. Begin with her right side and the parts of her body washed in ablution.”

Thus, he made washing the parts of the body washed in ablution part of the overall washing, but gave them precedence, just as he gave precedence to the right side. Likewise, those who described his bathing, such as ‘Ā’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, mentioned:

“He would perform ablution, then pour water over his hair, then over the rest of his body.”

He did not set out to wash the parts of the body washed in ablution twice, nor would he perform ablution after bathing. Thus, the Book and the Sunnah indicate that a person in a state of major ritual impurity and a menstruating woman need not wash the limbs of ablution separately or intend to perform ablution. Rather, they purify themselves and bathe as Allah Most High has commanded.

By His words:

“Purify yourselves,”

He meant bathing. This indicates that, in His words concerning menstruation:

“Until they become pure. Then, when they have purified themselves,”

He meant bathing, as held by the majority: