Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 222

Mufti Taqi Usmani

They ask you about menstruation. Say: “It is an impurity. So, keep away from women during menstruation; and do not have intimacy with them until they are cleansed. But when they are cleansed, then go to them from where Allah has commanded you. Surely Allah loves those who are most repenting, and loves those who keep themselves pure.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about menstruation. Say, “Beware of its harm! So keep away, and do not have intercourse with your wives during their monthly cycles until they are purified.[[ Do not have intercourse with them until their menstruation is over and they have taken a full bath. ]] When they purify themselves, then you may approach them in the manner specified by Allah. Surely Allah loves those who always turn to Him in repentance and those who purify themselves.”

Ruwwad Translation Center

They ask you about menstruation. Say: “It is impurity; so stay away from women during menstruation and do not have intercourse with them until they become pure. When they are cleansed, then have intimacy with them as Allah has commanded you. Allah loves those who frequently repent and He loves those who purify themselves.

A. J. Arberry

They will question thee concerning the monthly course. Say: 'It is hurt; so go apart from women during the monthly course, and do not approach them till they are clean. When they have cleansed themselves, then come unto them as God has commanded you.' Truly, God loves those who repent, and He loves those who cleanse themselves.

Abdul Haleem

They ask you [Prophet] about menstruation. Say, ‘Menstruation is a painful condition, so keep away from women during it. Do not approach them until they are cleansed; when they are cleansed, you may approach them as God has ordained. God loves those who turn to Him, and He loves those who keep themselves clean.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And they ask thee of menstruation. Say thou: it is a pollution, so keep away from women during menstruation, and go not in unto them until they have purified themselves. Then when they have thoroughly purified themselves, go in unto them as Allah hath commanded you. Verily Allah loveth the penitents, and loveth the purifiers of themselves.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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 in any manner, time, or place ordained for you by Allah. For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.

Abul Ala Maududi

They ask about the monthly course. Say, "It is a state of impurity; so keep apart from women during their monthly course and do not go near them until they are clean. When they have cleansed themselves, then you may go to them in the manner Allah has enjoined you." Most surely Allah loves those people who refrain from evil and keep themselves pure and clean.

Ahmed Ali

They ask you about menstruation. Tell them: "This is a period of stress. So keep away from women in this state till they are relieved of it. When they are free of it, you may go to them as God has enjoined. For God loves those who seek pardon, and those who are clean."

Ahmed Raza Khan

And they ask you the decree concerning menstruation; say, “It is an impurity, so stay away from women at such times, and do not cohabit with them until they have cleansed themselves; so when they have cleansed themselves, cohabit with them the way Allah has determined for you”; indeed Allah loves those who repent profusely, and loves those who keep clean.

Ali Quli Qarai

They ask you concerning [intercourse during] menses. Say, ‘It is hurtful.’ So keep away from wives during the menses, and do not approach them till they are clean. And when they become clean, go into them as Allah has commanded you. Indeed Allah loves the penitent and He loves those who keep clean.

Ali Ünal

They also ask you about (the injunctions concerning) menstruation. Say: "It is a state of hurt (and ritual impurity), so keep away from them during their menstruation and do not approach them until they are cleansed. When they are cleansed, then (you can) go to them inasmuch as God has commanded you (according to the urge He has placed in your nature and within the terms He has enjoined upon you). Surely God loves those who turn to Him in sincere repentance (of past sins and errors) and He loves those who cleanse themselves.

Amatul Rahman Omar

They ask you about (having conjugal relations during) the menstruation. Say, `It (having conjugal relations) is harmful and a pollution, so keep aloof from women during menstruation, and do not approach them (for sexual relation) until they are thoroughly cleansed. But when they have fully cleaned themselves you may come to them as Allâh has ordained you. Verily, Allâh loves those who frequently turn (to Him) with repentance and He loves the strivers to purification of themselves.

English Literal

And they ask/question you about the menstruation , say: "It is mild harm, so separate/withdraw the women in the menstruation , and do not approach them (F) until they be cleaned/purified , so if they became cleaned/purified , so come to them (F), from where/when God ordered you , that God loves/likes the repentant, and He loves/likes the pure/clean .

Faridul Haque

And they ask you the decree concerning menstruation; say, "It is an impurity, so stay away from women at such times, and do not cohabit with them until they have cleansed themselves; so when they have cleansed themselves, cohabit with them the way Allah has determined for you"; indeed Allah loves those who repent profusely, and loves those who keep clean.

Hamid S. Aziz

They will ask you about menstruation: say, "It is a hurt and a pollution." So keep apart from women at such times, and go not near them till they are cleansed; but when they have purified themselves you may come in to them as Allah has ordered you. Verily, Allah loves those who turn to Him, and those who keep themselves clean.

Hilali & Khan

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 and go not unto them till they have purified (from menses and have taken a bath). And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah has ordained for you (go in unto them in any manner as long as it is in their vagina). Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for their prayers, etc.).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And they ask thee about menstruation. Say: It is harmful; so keep aloof from women during menstrual discharge and go not near them until they are clean. But when they have cleansed themselves, go in to them as Allah has commanded you. Surely Allah loves those who turn much (to Him), and He loves those who purify themselves.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And they ask you about menstruation. Say: It is a discomfort; therefore keep aloof from the women during the menstrual discharge and do not go near them until they have become clean; then when they have cleansed themselves, go in to them as Allah has commanded you; surely Allah loves those who turn much (to Him), and He loves those who purify themselves.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

They question thee (O Muhammad) concerning menstruation. Say: It is an illness, so let women alone at such times and go not in unto them till they are cleansed. And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah hath enjoined upon you. Truly Allah loveth those who turn unto Him, and loveth those who have a care for cleanness.

Muhammad Sarwar

They ask you about women's menses. Tell them, "It is an ailment. Avoid having carnal relations with them until their period is over." Then you may have carnal relations with them according to the rules of God. God loves those who repent and those who purify themselves.

Qaribullah & Darwish

They ask you about menstruation. Say: 'It is an injury. Stay away from women during their menstrual periods and do not approach them until they are cleansed. When they have cleansed themselves, then come to them from where Allah has commanded you. Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance and He loves those who cleanse themselves'

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

They ask you concerning menstruation. Say: "That is an Adha, therefore, keep away from women during menses and go not in unto them till they are purified." And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah has ordained for you. Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.

Wahiduddin Khan

They ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is an impurity, so keep away from women during it and do not approach them until they are cleansed; when they are cleansed you may approach them as God has ordained. God loves those who turn to Him in penitence and He loves those who keep themselves clean.

Talal Itani

And they ask you about menstruation: say, “It is harmful, so keep away from women during menstruation. And do not approach them until they have become pure. Once they have become pure, approach them in the way God has directed you.” God loves the repentant, and He loves those who keep clean.”

Tafsir jalalayn

They will ask you about the monthly period, that is, menstruation and the spot in which it occurs, and how should one treat women during it. Say; `It is an ailment, filth, or the place whence it issues is so; so part with women, refrain from sexual intercourse with them, in the monthly period, in this time, or in the part affected; and do not approach them, for sexual intercourse, until they are pure (yathurna, or yattahharna; the original t' [of yatatahharna] has been assimilated with the t'), that is, until they have cleansed themselves after its cessation; when they have cleansed themselves, then come to them, in sexual intercourse, as God has commanded you', by avoiding it, the female organ, during menstruation and not resorting to any other part. Truly, God loves, that is, He rewards and honours, those who repent, of sins, and He loves those who cleanse themselves, from impurities.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Sexual Intercourse with Menstruating Women is prohibited

Allah says;

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَاعْتَزِلُواْ النِّسَاء فِي الْمَحِيضِ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىَ يَطْهُرْنَ

They ask you concerning menstruation.

Say;"That is an Adha, therefore, keep away from women during menses and go not in unto them till they are purified."

Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said that;

the Jews used to avoid their menstruating women, they would not eat, or even mingle with them in the house. The Companions of the Prophet asked about this matter and Allah revealed;
وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَاعْتَزِلُواْ النِّسَاء فِي الْمَحِيضِ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىَ يَطْهُرْنَ
(They ask you concerning menstruation. Say;"That is an Adha, therefore, keep away from women during menses and go not in unto them till they are purified).

Allah's Messenger said;

اصْنَعُوا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ إِلاَّ النِّكَاح

`Do everything you wish, except having sexual intercourse.

When the Jews were told about the Prophet's statement, they said, "What is the matter with this man He would not hear of any of our practices, but would defy it."

Then, Usayd bin Hudayr and Abbad bin Bishr came and said, "O Messenger of Allah! The Jews said this and that, should we have sex with our women (meaning, during the menstruation period)"

The face of Allah's Messenger changed color, until the Companions thought that he was angry with them. They left.

Soon after, some milk was brought to Allah's Messenger as a gift, and he sent some of it for them to drink. They knew then that Allah's Messenger was not angry with them.

Muslim also reported this Hadith.

Allah said;

فَاعْتَزِلُواْ النِّسَاء فِي الْمَحِيضِ
therefore, keep away from women during menses,

meaning, avoid the sexual organ.

The Prophet said;

اصْنَعُوا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ إِلاَّ النِّكَاح

Do anything you wish except having sexual intercourse.)

This is why most of the scholars said that it is allowed to fondle the wife, except for having sexual intercourse (when she is having her menses).

Abu Dawud reported that Ikrimah related to one of the Prophet's wives that she said that;

whenever the Prophet wanted to fondle (one of his wives) during her menses, he would cover her sexual organ with something.

Abu Jafar bin Jarir related that;

Masruq went to Aishah and greeted her, and Aishah greeted him in return. Masruq said, "I wish to ask you about a matter, but I am shy."

She replied, "I am your mother and you are my son."

He said, "What can the man enjoy of his wife when she is having her menses?"

She said, "Everything except her sexual organ."

This is also the opinion of Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Al-Hasan and Ikrimah.

One is Allowed to Sleep next to his Wife and to Eat with Her (when she is having her menses)

Aishah said,

"Allah's Messenger used to ask me to wash his hair while I was having the menses. He would lay on my lap and read the Qur'an while I was having the period."

It is also reported in the Sahih that Aishah said,

"While having the menses, I used to eat from a piece of meat and give it to the Prophet who would eat from the same place I ate from. I used to have sips of a drink and would then give the cup to the Prophet who would place his mouth where I placed my mouth."

It is also reported in the Two Sahihs that Maymunah bint Al-Harith Al-Hilaliyah said,

"Whenever the Prophet wanted to fondle any of his wives during the periods (menses), he used to ask her to wear an Izar (a sheet covering the lower-half of the body)."

These are the wordings collected by Al-Bukhari.

Similar was reported from Aishah.

In addition, Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah reported that;

Abdullah bin Sa`d Al-Ansari asked Allah's Messenger, "What am I allowed of my wife while she is having her menses?"

He said, "What is above the Izar (a sheet covering the lower-half of the body)."

Hence, Allah's statement;
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىَ يَطْهُرْنَ
(...and go not in unto them till they are purified) explains His statement;
فَاعْتَزِلُواْ النِّسَاء فِي الْمَحِيضِ
(...therefore, keep away from women during menses).

Allah prohibited having sexual intercourse with the wife during menstruation, indicating that sexual intercourse is allowed otherwise.

Allah's statement;

فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللّهُ

And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah has ordained for you.

indicates that men should have sexual intercourse with their wives after they take a bath.

The scholars agree that the woman is obliged to take a bath, or to perform Tayammum with sand, if she is unable to use water, before she is allowed to have sexual intercourse with her husband, after the monthly period ends.

Ibn Abbas said;

حَتَّىَ يَطْهُرْنَ
"(till they are purified) means from blood, and,

فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ
(And when they have purified themselves) means with water."

This is also the Tafsir of Mujahid, Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Muqatil bin Hayyan and Al-Layth bin Sa`d and others.
Anal Sex is prohibited

Allah said;

مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللّهُ
as Allah has ordained for you.

Ibn Abbas, Mujahid and other scholars have stated that;

this refers to Al-Farj (the vagina)

Therefore, anal sex is prohibited, as we will further emphasize afterwards, Allah willing.

Abu Razin, Ikrimah and Ad-Dahhak and others said that;
فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللّهُ
(...then go in unto them as Allah has ordained for you) means,

when they are pure, and not during the menses.

Allah said afterwards;

إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ

Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance,

from the sin even if it was repeated.

وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ



and loves those who purify themselves.

meaning, those who purify themselves from the impurity and the filth that include having sexual intercourse with the wife during the menses and anal sex.
The Reason behind revealing Allah's Statement;"Your Wives are a Tilth for You.

Allah said