Author: Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri
Intercourse is not permissible after the cessation of menstruation until the woman has performed ghusl (ritual purification).
Allah the Almighty says:
"They ask you about menstruation. Say, 'It is a harm, so keep away from women during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you.'"
(Al-Baqarah: 222)
Hafiz Ibn Kathir comments on this verse:
"Scholars have unanimously agreed that a woman does not become permissible for her husband until she performs ghusl (ritual bath) after the cessation of menstruation, or if she is unable to perform ghusl, she should do tayammum (dry ablution). The only exception is Abu Hanifa, who does not consider ghusl necessary."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 1/350)
It is understood that in this verse, "until they are pure" refers to the cessation of menstrual blood, and "when they have purified themselves" refers to performing ghusl.
The revered Tabi'i (Successor) Imam Ikrimah states:
"When a woman's menstrual blood stops, her husband should not come near her (for intercourse) until she performs ghusl. When she has purified herself, then he can approach her as Allah has commanded."
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 1/96-97, with a good chain)
The great Tabi'i Mujahid ibn Jabr says:
"Her husband should not come near her (for intercourse) until she performs ghusl."
(Sunan Darimi: 1117, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 1/96, with an authentic chain)
Imam Mak-hul Tabi'i states:
"A man cannot have intercourse with his wife after her menstrual period until she performs ghusl."(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 1/96, with an authentic chain)
Imam Ata bin Abi Rabah was asked about this matter, and he replied:
"No, intercourse is not permissible before ghusl."
(Sunan Darimi: 1127, with an authentic chain)
Imam Tahawi (Hanafi) (d. 321 AH) writes:
"To our knowledge, there is no difference of opinion among scholars regarding this interpretation that 'purification' refers to performing ghusl. The cessation of blood alone is not purity in itself. Although she is considered out of her menstrual period, intercourse with her is not permissible, nor is it permissible for her to pray or perform tawaf (circumambulation) of the Kaaba until she performs ghusl or, if water is not available, tayammum."
(Ahkam al-Quran by Tahawi: 1/127)
Imam Ibn al-Mundhir (d. 318 AH) writes:
"My view aligns with that of all scholars, that a man cannot have intercourse with his wife after her menstrual period until she purifies herself with water. And Allah knows best."
(Al-Awsat by Ibn al-Mundhir: 2/215)
Nothing contrary to this has been established from any Companion or Tabi'i.
Conclusion:
Intercourse is not permissible after the cessation of menstruation until the woman has performed ghusl.
Intercourse is not permissible after the cessation of menstruation until the woman has performed ghusl (ritual purification).
Allah the Almighty says:
وَ یَسۡـَٔلُوۡنَکَ عَنِ الۡمَحِیۡضِ ە قُلۡ ہُوَ اَذًی ۙ فَاعۡتَزِلُوا النِّسَآءَ فِی الۡمَحِیۡضِ ۙ وَ لَا تَقۡرَبُوۡہُنَّ حَتّٰی یَطۡہُرۡنَ ۚ فَاِذَا تَطَہَّرۡنَ فَاۡتُوۡہُنَّ مِنۡ حَیۡثُ اَمَرَکُمُ اللّٰہُ ۚ
"They ask you about menstruation. Say, 'It is a harm, so keep away from women during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you.'"
(Al-Baqarah: 222)
Hafiz Ibn Kathir comments on this verse:
"Scholars have unanimously agreed that a woman does not become permissible for her husband until she performs ghusl (ritual bath) after the cessation of menstruation, or if she is unable to perform ghusl, she should do tayammum (dry ablution). The only exception is Abu Hanifa, who does not consider ghusl necessary."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 1/350)
It is understood that in this verse, "until they are pure" refers to the cessation of menstrual blood, and "when they have purified themselves" refers to performing ghusl.
The revered Tabi'i (Successor) Imam Ikrimah states:
"When a woman's menstrual blood stops, her husband should not come near her (for intercourse) until she performs ghusl. When she has purified herself, then he can approach her as Allah has commanded."
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 1/96-97, with a good chain)
The great Tabi'i Mujahid ibn Jabr says:
"Her husband should not come near her (for intercourse) until she performs ghusl."
(Sunan Darimi: 1117, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 1/96, with an authentic chain)
Imam Mak-hul Tabi'i states:
"A man cannot have intercourse with his wife after her menstrual period until she performs ghusl."(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 1/96, with an authentic chain)
Imam Ata bin Abi Rabah was asked about this matter, and he replied:
"No, intercourse is not permissible before ghusl."
(Sunan Darimi: 1127, with an authentic chain)
Imam Tahawi (Hanafi) (d. 321 AH) writes:
"To our knowledge, there is no difference of opinion among scholars regarding this interpretation that 'purification' refers to performing ghusl. The cessation of blood alone is not purity in itself. Although she is considered out of her menstrual period, intercourse with her is not permissible, nor is it permissible for her to pray or perform tawaf (circumambulation) of the Kaaba until she performs ghusl or, if water is not available, tayammum."
(Ahkam al-Quran by Tahawi: 1/127)
Imam Ibn al-Mundhir (d. 318 AH) writes:
"My view aligns with that of all scholars, that a man cannot have intercourse with his wife after her menstrual period until she purifies herself with water. And Allah knows best."
(Al-Awsat by Ibn al-Mundhir: 2/215)
Nothing contrary to this has been established from any Companion or Tabi'i.
Conclusion:
Intercourse is not permissible after the cessation of menstruation until the woman has performed ghusl.