Ghusl after Inter-course: Why?

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

First and foremost, we would like to stress the fact that Islam is the religion of cleanliness. Islam requires a person to pay considerable attention to his personal hygiene and cleanliness. The Qur’an says: "Truly Allah loves those who turn unto Him, and loves those who have a care for cleanness." (Al-Baqarah: 222) The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) states: "Cleanliness is half of faith."

"This ghusl is called ghusl al-janabah according to the Shari`ah. It is obligatory to take a full bath after se,xual intercourse or ejaculation (i.e. in a wet dream or if spe'rm comes out due to se,xual desire, also se,xual dream and discharge in the case of women). This is mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The purpose of this bath is to clean the body and refresh the spirit. Se,xual emission is not just an ordinary matter like urination or defecation. When it happens, the whole body, mind and spirit get involved in it. After it, one feels lazy and dull. The full shower makes a person fresh in body and spirit. There are many spiritual as well as physical and medical benefits in it. But for a Muslim, it is the command of Allah and His Messenger and it must be followed."