What is the meaning of the ablution for alleviating major ritual impurity?

Question : This questioner asks: What is the meaning of the ablution for alleviating major ritual impurity? I have come across a question to which you gave an answer in your book titled *Al-Liqaa al-Bab al-Maftuh*. The text of the question is: “Honorable Shaykh, is it sufficient in the ablution for alleviating major ritual impurity to wipe over the socks, provided the time for wiping remains, or is it necessary to wash the feet? I ask you to explain the question.”

Answer : A person who is in a state of major ritual impurity is required to perform the full ritual bath. However, if he performs the ablution, that alleviates the major ritual impurity. The evidence for this is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: “Does one of us sleep while in a state of major ritual impurity?” He said: “Yes, if he performs the ablution, let him sleep.” The scholars said that the wisdom behind this is that the ablution alleviates the major ritual impurity. Likewise, it is not permissible for a person in a state of major ritual impurity to remain in the mosque, but if he performs the ablution, it is permissible for him to remain in the mosque. This also indicates that the ablution alleviates the major ritual impurity. This is the meaning of our statement that the ablution alleviates the major ritual impurity. The effects of paper.