THE DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Jumuat, 4th Jumaadal Aakhir. (Friday, 7th of January 2022).

MENSTRUATION AND SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS. BismilLah.

ALLAAH has forbidden men to have intercourse with their wives during their menstruation. 

The Qur’aan clearly stated the reason for this prohibition, which is that menstruation is adha (a harmful thing). ALLAAH says to the nearest meaning: 

“They ask you concerning menstruation. Say: that is an Adha (a harmful thing for a husband to have a sexual intercourse with his wife while she is having her menses), therefore, keep away from women during menses” [Qur'an 2:222].

Scientific studies in this field have disclosed to us some of the harm that is referred to in this verse, but they have not managed to describe all the harms that are referred to in the Qur’aanic text. 

Dr. Muhiy al-Deen al-‘Alabi said: “It is essential to refrain from having intercourse with a menstruating women because doing so leads to an increase in the flow of menstrual blood, because the veins of the uterus are congested and prone to rupture, and get damaged easily; and the wall of the vagina is also susceptible to injury, so the likelihood of inflammation is increased, which leads to inflammation in the uterus and in the man’s penis, because of the irritation that occurs during intercourse. Having intercourse with a menstruating woman may also be off-putting to both the man and his wife, because of the presence and smell of blood, which may make the man impotent (i.e., uninterested in sex). 

Dr. Muhammad al-Baar said, speaking of the harm that may be caused to the menstruating woman: The lining of the uterus is shed during menstruation, and the uterus is scarred as a result, just like when the skin is flayed. So it is vulnerable to bacteria and the introduction of the bacteria that are to be found at the tip of the penis poses a great danger to the uterus.  

Hence the penetration of the penis into the vagina at the time of menstruation is no more than the introduction of germs at a time when the body is unable to fight them. 

Dr. al-Baar thinks that the harm is not limited to what he describes of the introduction of germs into the uterus and vagina which is difficult to treat, rather it also extends to other things, namely: 

1. The spread of infection to the fallopian tubes, which may then become blocked, which in turn may lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy, which is the most dangerous kind of pregnancy.

2. The spread of infection to the urethra, bladder and kidneys; diseases of the urinary tract are usually serious and chronic.

3. Increase of germs in the menstrual blood, especially gonorrhea germs. 

The menstruating woman is also in a physical and psychological state that is not conducive to intercourse, so if it takes place it will harm her a great deal and cause her pains during her period, as Dr. al-Baar said: 

ALLAAH has described it as adha, a harmful thing both for the wife and for the husband, and other harmful effects about which ALLAAH knows best. 

Thus it becomes clear that the prohibition on intercourse at the time of menstruation is not just because of the blood, rather it is for many reasons as stated above. 

The Muslim must also obey the command of ALLAAH, for HE is the CREATOR, and HE knows best what is good for HIS slaves and what is harmful to them. HE is the One Who says “keep away from women during menses”, so even if the reason behind this is not clear, we must still submit to the command of ALLAAH Who has commanded that a man should not have intercourse with his wife during this time. 

However, it is permissible for a man to be intimate with his wife without having intercourse and both can live lovely and do whatever except penetration. May ALLAH Azza wa Jal, The Mighty, and the Majestic keep guiding us all till Jannat becomes our final abode by HIS RAHMAH. Aameen.