Ruling on Intimate Relations Before Bathing After Menstruation

The Impermissibility of Intimate Relations Before Bathing After Menstruation

بســـم اللــه الرحــمــن الـرحـــيــم

Having relations with one’s wife prior to her taking a bath after coming off her menstrual cycle

Shaykh, Muhammad ibn Hizaam -may Allaah preserve him- was asked the following question:

Question:

A woman saw that she had become pure from her menses so her husband had sexual relations with her prior to her taking a bath (Ghusl), so what is the ruling?

Answer: 

This is not permissible – it is not allowed for a man to have relations with his wife (in this state) unless she takes a bath; Allaah said:

{وَیَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡمَحِیضِۖ قُلۡ هُوَ أَذࣰى فَٱعۡتَزِلُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَاۤءَ فِی ٱلۡمَحِیضِ وَلَا تَقۡرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ یَطۡهُرۡنَۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرۡنَ فَأۡتُوهُنَّ مِنۡ حَیۡثُ أَمَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّ ٰ⁠بِینَ وَیُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَطَهِّرِینَ} 

“They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about menstruation. Say, “it is a harmful thing! So keep away, and do not have intercourse with your wives during their monthly cycles until: (1) they become purified (from menses). (2) When they purify themselves (by taking a bath), then you may approach them in the manner specified by Allah. Surely Allaah loves those who always turn to Him in repentance and those who purify themselves.”

[Surat Al-Baqarah 222]

So this (having relations with a woman prior to her taking a bath after menses) is impermissible, and it is a sinful act which they must both seek repentance from. And with Allah is all success.

Translated by:

Abu Ishaq Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Ba-‘Alawi