Question
Is it permissible to have intercourse after the menstrual days have ended but before performing ghusl?
Answer
Allah, the Exalted, says:
وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَاعْتَزِلُوا النِّسَاءَ فِي الْمَحِيضِ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ ۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ
“They ask you about menstruation. Say: It is an impurity, so keep away from women during menstruation (do not have intercourse), and do not approach them (with the intention of intercourse) until they are purified. When they have purified themselves (by bathing thoroughly), then come to them as Allah has commanded you.”
❀ Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, says in his commentary on this verse:
وقد اتفق العلماء على أن المرأة حيضها لا تحلّ حتى تغتسل بالماء أو تتيمم إن تعذر ذلك عليها بشرطه، إلا أن أبا حنيفة
“The scholars are agreed that a woman, once the flow of menstrual blood has stopped, is not lawful to a man until she performs ghusl with water or, if that is impossible, tayammum, except Abu Hanifah (who does not consider ghusl to be necessary).”
It is thus clear that in this verse, (حَتى يَطْهُرْنَ) refers to “the cessation of menstrual blood,” and (فاذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ) refers to performing ghusl.
❀ The eminent Tabi’i Ikrimah, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
اذا انقطع عنها الدم فلا يأتيها حتى تطهر، فإذا طهرت فليأتها كما أمر الله.
“When a woman’s menstrual blood stops, her husband should not come to her (for intercourse) until she performs ghusl. Once she has performed ghusl, he should have intercourse with her as Allah has commanded.”
❀ The great Tabi’i Mujahid ibn Jabr, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
لا يقربها زوجها حتى تغتسل .
“Until she (the menstruating woman) performs ghusl, her husband should not approach her (with the intention of intercourse).”
❀ Imam Makhul, the Tabi’i, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
لا يغشى الرجل المرأة إذا طهرت من الحيضة حتى تغتسل .
“A man cannot have intercourse with a woman after she has become pure from menstruation and before she has performed ghusl.”
❀ Imam Ata ibn Abi Rabah, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked about this and said:
لا حتى تغتسل.
“No, (intercourse is not permissible) before ghusl.”
❀ Imam al-Tahawi al-Hanafi writes:
ولا نعلم في هذا التأويل بين أهل العلم، وانقطاع الدم ليس بطهر في نفسه لأنها وإن خرجت به من الحيض فإنها غيره روی این من غير مباح لها الصلاة والطواف بالبيت حتى تغتسل بالماء أو تيمم بالصعيد عند عدم الماء .
“To our knowledge, there is no disagreement among the people of knowledge regarding this interpretation (that تطھرن means performing ghusl). The cessation of blood is not purity in itself, because although she has come out of menstruation by it, she is still forbidden to her husband for intercourse, and likewise prayer and circumambulation of the House are not permitted to her, until she performs ghusl with water or, if water is not available, performs tayammum.”
❀ Imam Ibn al-Mundhir, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 318 AH), writes:
والذى به أقول ما عليه جمل أهل العلم أن لا يطأ الرجل زوجته إذا طهرت من المحيض حتى تظهر بالماء، والله أعلم .
“My position is the same as that of all the people of knowledge: a man cannot have intercourse with his wife until she has attained purity with water (by performing ghusl).”
Nothing has been reported from any Companion or Tabi’i contrary to this.
