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