A husband enjoying physical intimac...

Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta

A husband enjoying physical intimacy with his wife during her menstrual period

Question

Is it permissible for a husband to enjoy physical intimacy with his wife during her period?

Answer

Sexual intercourse during a wife’s menstrual period is prohibited according to scholarly consensus. God the Almighty says, “They ask thee concerning women’s courses, say: They are a hurt and a pollution: so keep away from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean. But when they have purified themselves, ye may approach them as ordained for you by Allah” [2: 222].

Scholars have agreed that during a wife’s menstrual period, a husband may engage in any form of sexual intimacy with his wife and touch any part of her body though he is to avoid the area between her legs and navel while many others do not prohibit this area but stipulate abstention from vaginal penetration. The legal premise for this is the hadith narrated by Abu Dawud through Anas Ibn Malik (may God be pleased with him) who said that Jewish women in a state of menstruation were segregated i.e. they were not allowed to remain the same house as their husbands. Moreover, the men would not eat, drink, or engage in sexual intercourse with their wives during this period. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about this matter, the following verse was revealed, “They ask thee concerning women’s courses, say ….” So the Prophet (may God be pleased with him) said, “Engage in everything with your wives except for sexual intercourse.”

Imam Al-Nawawi agreed with the opinion that permits a husband to fully enjoy his wife’s person during her period except for engaging in intercourse with her due to the strength of its evidence.[1]
Based on this, a husband may enjoy physical intimacy with his wife even if he orgasms as a result though he is to refrain from intercourse. He must also protect himself from coming in contact with menstrual blood especially during the first days of his wife’s period when bleeding is heavy by having her cover her vagina to prevent menstrual leaks.
And God the Almighty knows best.

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