Answered by Shaykh Hamza Karamali, SunniPath Academy Teacher
Scenario: Zayd is in a state of minor ritual impurity. Zayd, without performing a valid ablution (wudu), proceeds to fulfil the integrals of a complete purificatory bath (ghusl). For the first integral, the intention he makes is “I am performing ghusl “or” I am seeking permission to pray”. For the second integral, during the ghusl, Zayd is careful not to experience any of the causes of minor ritual impurity while washing all of his skin, in no particular order.
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
The general rule is that lifting major ritual impurity through ghusl also lifts minor ritual impurity. However, if, while lifting major ritual impurity, one does something to nullify minor ritual purity (such as touching one’s private parts), then one enters into another state of minor ritual impurity that then needs to be lifted through wudu.
Mere ghusl does not lift minor ritual impurity, unless the ghusl was performed to lift major ritual impurity. A sunna ghusl does not lift minor ritual impurity.
So, in your question, if the ghusl was to lift major ritual impurity, then Zayd’s minor ritual impurity will have been lifted. If Zayd was not in a state of major ritual impurity, then his minor ritual impurity is only lifted through wudu.
And Allah knows best.
Hamza.