Answer
Short Answer: Making du’aa’ before intercourse and taking a ritual bath (ghusl) afterward are two ways to ensure you are keeping yourself sexually pure before God.
Peace be upon you dear brother,
Thank you so much for sending us your questions.
May Allah reward you for trying to learn the teachings of your religion thoroughly and may that be a reason that you are granted the light, wisdom, peace, and blessings of Allah Almighty. Ameen.
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him-PBUH) has taught us the right way to deal with both issues you asked about.
How To Make Ghusl
First of all, with regards to the ghusl from janabah (purification from major impurity), it was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said:
My maternal aunt Maimunah told me: ‘I brought the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) water for his ghusl from janabah, and he washed his hands two or three times, then he put his right hand in the vessel and poured water over his private part, then he washed it with his left hand. Then he put his left hand on the ground and rubbed it hard. Then he performed wudu [purification from minor impurity] as for prayer. Then poured three scoops with his two hands full of water over his head. Then he washed his entire body. Then he moved away from where he had been standing and washed his feet.’ She said: ‘Then I brought him a towel but he refused it.’ (Sunan an-Nasa’i)
Here are a few great video explanations of how to do ghusl:
How To Do Ghusl: Ritual Bath In Islam (Illustrated)
The Du’aa’ Before Intercourse
Second of all, an easy du’aa’ (supplication) to recite upon approaching your wife is what the Prophet taught us in the following hadith.
Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said:
If anyone intends to have (sexual intercourse) with his wife, he should say: “Bismillah! Allahumma janibnash-Shaitana, wa jannibish-Shaitana ma razaqtana” [In the Name of Allah, O Allah! Keep us away from Satan and keep Satan away from what You have bestowed upon us]; and if Allah has ordained a child for them, Satan will never harm him. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
I hope this answers your question.
(From AboutIslam’s archives)
Read more…