Ruling on Intercourse if Postpartum Bleeding Ends Before Forty Days
Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam
Question:
If a woman in the state of nifas (postpartum bleeding) becomes pure before forty days are completed, is it permissible for her husband to have intercourse with her? And if bleeding returns after the completion of forty days, what is the ruling?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
It is not permissible for a husband to have intercourse with his wife while she is in the state of nifas. However, if she becomes pure before the completion of forty days, then it becomes obligatory for her to perform the prayer, and her prayer will be valid. In such a state, it is permissible for her husband to have intercourse with her, as Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَيَسـَٔلونَكَ عَنِ المَحيضِ قُل هُوَ أَذًى فَاعتَزِلُوا النِّساءَ فِى المَحيضِ وَلا تَقرَبوهُنَّ حَتّى يَطهُرنَ فَإِذا تَطَهَّرنَ فَأتوهُنَّ مِن حَيثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ…﴿٢٢٢﴾… سورة البقرة
① As long as bleeding — meaning impurity — is present, intercourse is not permissible.
② Once the woman becomes pure, performing prayer becomes obligatory and intercourse becomes permissible.
③ If a woman attains purity before forty days are completed, all acts of worship and matters prohibited during nifas become permissible.
④ Intercourse becomes lawful for the husband.
⑤ It is better for the husband to exercise patience, so that intercourse does not cause the bleeding to return, and the woman completes the forty days.
⑥ However, if intercourse takes place before the completion of forty days, there is no harm in it.
① If bleeding occurs again after forty days are completed, it will not be considered nifas, but will be counted as menstrual bleeding.
② Women are well aware of the nature of their menstrual blood; if she recognizes it as menstrual blood, she should act accordingly.
③ If bleeding continues without stopping except for short intervals, it will be considered istihāḍah (non-menstrual bleeding).
④ In this case, the woman should observe her regular menstrual period, then perform ghusl and offer prayer.
ھٰذا ما عندی، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam
❖ Ruling on Intercourse with a Woman in the State of Nifas
Question:
If a woman in the state of nifas (postpartum bleeding) becomes pure before forty days are completed, is it permissible for her husband to have intercourse with her? And if bleeding returns after the completion of forty days, what is the ruling?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
It is not permissible for a husband to have intercourse with his wife while she is in the state of nifas. However, if she becomes pure before the completion of forty days, then it becomes obligatory for her to perform the prayer, and her prayer will be valid. In such a state, it is permissible for her husband to have intercourse with her, as Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَيَسـَٔلونَكَ عَنِ المَحيضِ قُل هُوَ أَذًى فَاعتَزِلُوا النِّساءَ فِى المَحيضِ وَلا تَقرَبوهُنَّ حَتّى يَطهُرنَ فَإِذا تَطَهَّرنَ فَأتوهُنَّ مِن حَيثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ…﴿٢٢٢﴾… سورة البقرة
✿ If Purity is Attained Before Forty Days:
① As long as bleeding — meaning impurity — is present, intercourse is not permissible.
② Once the woman becomes pure, performing prayer becomes obligatory and intercourse becomes permissible.
③ If a woman attains purity before forty days are completed, all acts of worship and matters prohibited during nifas become permissible.
④ Intercourse becomes lawful for the husband.
⑤ It is better for the husband to exercise patience, so that intercourse does not cause the bleeding to return, and the woman completes the forty days.
⑥ However, if intercourse takes place before the completion of forty days, there is no harm in it.
✿ If Bleeding Returns After Forty Days:
① If bleeding occurs again after forty days are completed, it will not be considered nifas, but will be counted as menstrual bleeding.
② Women are well aware of the nature of their menstrual blood; if she recognizes it as menstrual blood, she should act accordingly.
③ If bleeding continues without stopping except for short intervals, it will be considered istihāḍah (non-menstrual bleeding).
④ In this case, the woman should observe her regular menstrual period, then perform ghusl and offer prayer.
ھٰذا ما عندی، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
