I took a purificatory bath to remove the state of major ritual impurity, but did not make ablution afterward. I then attended a funeral prayer. Is my prayer valid, and does this purification count as ablution?

It is established in Islamic law that ablution is included within the purificatory bath. The intention to remove the state of major ritual impurity encompasses the intention to remove minor ritual impurity and suffices for it. This is because the restrictions associated with the state of major ritual impurity are greater than those associated with minor ritual impurity; therefore, the lesser is included in the intention of the greater, and the intention of the greater suffices for it.

This is supported by the report of ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) who said, “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would not make ablution after the purificatory bath.” It is also narrated that Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said to a man who told him that he makes ablution after the purificatory bath, “You have gone beyond what is necessary.”

Based on the above, the funeral prayer performed by the inquirer after taking a purificatory bath without a separate ablution is valid.

And Allah Almighty knows best.