Ibn ‘Umar told how ‘Umar b. al-Khattab mentioned to God’s messenger that he was affected by seminal defilement during the night, and was told to perform ablution, wash his penis, and go back to sleep.(Bukhari and Muslim.)
Purification - Mishkat al-Masabih 452
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, his family, and companions.
The Narration
This noble hadith from the Sahihayn (Bukhari and Muslim) relates that the Companion 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) informed the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that he experienced nocturnal emission (ihtilam) during the night.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed him to perform wudu' (ablution), wash his private part, and then return to sleep.
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith establishes several important rulings concerning purification. Firstly, it confirms that seminal discharge (janabah) requires ghusl (full ritual bath) for the validity of prayer. However, the Prophet's instruction to perform only wudu' indicates this was for the purpose of returning to sleep, not for prayer.
The wisdom behind washing the private part is both physical cleanliness and spiritual purification. The permission to sleep after wudu' demonstrates the facilitation and ease in Islamic law - one need not perform ghusl immediately if intending to sleep, as this might cause hardship.
Scholars deduce from this that a person in state of major impurity may sleep after performing wudu', and the ghusl may be delayed until before prayer time. This reflects the compassionate nature of Islamic jurisprudence, considering human comfort while maintaining ritual purity requirements.
Legal Rulings Derived
1. Nocturnal emission necessitates ghusl for prayer
2. Wudu' suffices for sleeping after janabah
3. Washing the private part is recommended after emission
4. Ghusl may be postponed until before prayer time
5. The Shari'ah considers practical circumstances of believers
Spiritual Benefits
This teaching embodies the balance between spiritual requirements and human needs. It shows how Islam accommodates natural bodily functions while maintaining purity standards. The practice preserves one's state of cleanliness even during sleep and facilitates waking up in a purified state for morning prayers.
And Allah knows best. May Allah grant us understanding of His religion and enable us to act upon it. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.