[Q]: O’ Shaykh Ṣāliḥ, is there a difference between bathing for the removal of ritual impurity and bathing for the purpose of cooling oneself or maintaining cleanliness?

[A]: Yes. Bathing for the sake of cooling down or maintaining cleanliness is not an act of worship. In contrast, bathing due to major ritual impurity (janābah), menstruation (ḥayḍ), or post-partum bleeding (nifās) is obligatory, as it serves to remove the state of ritual impurity. Similarly, recommended baths—such as bathing for the Friday prayer or to enter Makkah’s sanctuary—are considered acts of worship as they are performed with the intention of attaining Allāh’s reward and because they have been prescribed through religious evidence. Hence, these forms of bathing require an accompanying intention of worship. If one were to intend their wuḍūʾ to be included within a legislated bath—whether obligatory or recommended—then it would be included. This is evidenced by the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) statement, “Verily, actions are based upon their intentions, and every man shall have what he intended.”¹ However, if one intends to include their wuḍū within a common bath (i.e., not obligatory or recommended), such as bathing for the purpose of cleaning oneself or cooling down then this is invalid and incorrect, as this bath is not an act of worship and is not legislated. It is merely permissible.²