What is the legitimate ruling on a man having sexual relation with his wife at the time of her menstruation?
ما الحكم الشرعي في جماع المرأة في وقت حيضها؟
The Quran addresses the natural cycles of women with profound respect, prioritizing their physical well being and comfort over marital intimacy during this specific time.
يتناول القرآن الكريم الدورة الطبيعية للمرأة باحترام بالغ، مقدماً سلامتها الجسدية وراحتها على العلاقة الزوجية خلال هذا الوقت المحدد.
The Prohibition and its Reason | التحريم وسببه
1. Preventing Harm
Menstruation is harmful to a woman, so the husband should not have any sexual activity with his menstruating wife until the menstrual period is over and she cleanses and purifies herself.
1. منع الأذى والضرر
الحيض فيه ضرر على المرأة لذا يجب على الزوج أن لا يقرب زوجته الحائض إلى أن تنتهي فترة الحيض وتغتسل (تتطهر).
2. The Quranic Command
(They ask you O Prophet about menstruation. Say, "Beware of its harm! So keep away, and do not have intercourse with your wives during their monthly cycles until they are purified. When they purify themselves, then you may approach them in the manner specified by Allah. Surely Allah loves those who always turn to Him in repentance and those who purify themselves.") Al Baqara 2:222.
2. الأمر القرآني
(وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَاعْتَزِلُوا النِّسَاءَ فِي الْمَحِيضِ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ ۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ) البقرة: 222.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Is all physical contact forbidden during menstruation?
No. The prohibition applies strictly to sexual intercourse. Husbands and wives are fully permitted to show affection, cuddle, and sleep in the same bed. Islam explicitly rejects the practice of completely isolating a menstruating woman.
When exactly is it permissible to resume intercourse?
Intercourse becomes permissible after two conditions are met: the bleeding has completely stopped, and the wife has performed the ritual purifying bath (Ghusl).
What if intercourse happens by mistake or out of ignorance?
If it occurs out of true ignorance or genuine forgetfulness, there is no sin, but they must stop immediately upon realizing. If done intentionally, it is a sin that requires sincere repentance to Allah.