Akham of Haid: Ruling of Menses and Intimate Matters

Rulings on Menstruation

The subject of menses is very important for every Muslimah to know and implement 

It is understood that both women and men are equal in seeking knowledge of the deen and in matters concerning them. Even the women during the time of the Prophet (saas) the women ask for a day from the Messeger of Allah(saas) so they could learn their deen correctly.

 Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

Some women requested the Prophet to fix a day for them as the men were taking all his time. On that he promised them one day for religious lessons and commandments. Once during such a lesson the Prophet said, "A woman whose three children die will be shielded by them from the Hell fire." On that a woman asked, "If only two die?" He replied, "Even two (will shield her from the Hell-fire)."

~ Al Bukhari  Volume 1, Book 3, Number 101

It took Imam Ahmed (RA) 9 years to learn and understand the rulings on menstruation so how are we to be relaxed in this matter.

To proceed:

‘A'ishah (radhiallahu anha)  said, “Bless it be the women of the Ansar! Shyness did not prevent them from understanding their religion properly.”
~Reference: Fath al-Bari, 1/228, Kitab al-'ilm, bab al-haya' fi'l-'ilm; Sahih Muslim, 4/16, Kitab al-hayd, bab ghusl al-mustahadah wa salatiha

As soon as the menses cycle is over it wajib to do ghusl and start salat

Evidences from Quran

"If you are sexually impure, purify yourselves." And, "They question you concerning menstruation. Say: It is an illness, so let women alone at such times and do not have sex with them until they are cleansed" 

~(al-Baqarah 222).

Evidences from Hadith

The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, said to Fatimah bint Abu Habish, "Do not pray during your period. After it has ended, perform ghusl and pray."

~(Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

How do you know when the menses is over?

Our beloved Ummul Mumineen has given us a detailed description on the ending of menstruation Yahya related to me from Malik from AIqama ibn Abi AIqama that his mother, the mawla of A'isha, umm al-muminin, said, "Women used to send little boxes to A'isha, umm al-muminin, with a piece of cotton cloth in each one on which was yellowness from menstrual blood, asking her about the prayer. She said to them, 'Do not be hasty until you see a white discharge." By that she meant purity from menses.

~Al-Muwatta Hadith   Hadith 2.99