Q: In the case of a physical relationship it is must for couple to take bath before offering prayers? If they are in a situation where water is not available or it’s too cold weather and hot water is not available (like in our city in winter we have gas load shedding because of which many times we do not get hot water) what should the couple do? Should they offer prayer or leave it?
A: It is compulsory to take a bath after a physical relation, before performing Salaah. The ruling is that if water is not available in the vicinity, Tayammum will be permissible in place of Ghusl and Wudhu, but this does not apply to you because water is available. If it is possible to bath with cold water then that should be done. If not then there are other means of heating water such as using a portable gas stove or a primus stove or even lighting a fire to heat water. In that case you will use a bucket to have Ghusl.
If heating water is not at all possible and the water is so cold that by using it one fears sickness or death then too, Tayammum will be permissible.
Mufti Siraj Desai