A reader from Riyadh has put to me the question whether it is permissible to have a meal when one is in a state of ceremonial impurity, having had intercourse with one’s wife. It is understood that he intends to take a bath, but he needs to eat first.
The answer is that the state of ceremonial impurity, or janabah, is abstract, not physical.
The Prophet has told us that a believer does not get impure. It is perfectly permissible for a person in such a condition to attend to anything he or she wants, whether it is eating or working, or completing any task.
It is obviously better not to delay taking a bath in order to be able to attend to one’s duties, such as prayers. But if one needs to delay it for any reason, one may go about one’s business, including eating, without difficulty.
Arab News Islam 6 December 2002