If a person takes a full ritual bath with the intention of ablution and does not perform ablution, is that sufficient for him in place of ablution?

The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : If a person takes a full ritual bath with the intention of ablution and does not perform ablution, is that sufficient for him in place of ablution?

The Shaykh : If he takes a full ritual bath with the intention of ablution and does not perform ablution, it is not sufficient for him in place of ablution, unless it was for major ritual impurity. If it was for major ritual impurity, there is no harm; the full ritual bath is sufficient in place of ablution, based on the saying of Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He: and ablution was not mentioned. However, if he took the bath to cool off, for the Friday bath, or for a recommended bath, it is not sufficient, because his bath was not for a state of ritual impurity. So the rule is: "If the bath is for a state of ritual impurity—meaning major ritual impurity—or for a woman for menstruation, it is sufficient in place of ablution; otherwise, it is not sufficient".