Having intercourse during menstrual period

Question:

In case that husband and wife had sexual intercourse while the wife was menstruating either that happened by intention or by mistake or forget. And after that how the washing have to be? Have to be special washing after ritual impurity in addition to another bathing after menses?

The answer:

Al-hamdulillah (all praises be to Allah) and Praying and Peace for the Prophet.

The occurrence of sexual intercourse during the menstrual period has two conditions:

First: Either it happened because of forgetfulness or by mistake that the wife thinking that she had become pure, and the truth was that she is not. In this case it is hoped that God Almighty will not blame the couples for that. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Verily Allah has pardoned [or been lenient with] for me my ummah: their mistakes, their forgetfulness, and that which they have been forced to do under duress.” Narrated by Ibn Majah. The gist here it is no necessity to do things after that.

Second: If sexual intercourse happened by intention and the couple know the prohibition of that, they must repent and seek forgiveness for that sin. The scholar Al Khatib Ash-Shirbiny said in his book “to have real intercourse with menstrual wife intentionally and with knowing of its prohibition is a big sin. {Maghny Al-Mohtaa} (1/100)

As a result it is recommended to expiate sins by charity; that requires to give away the value of a gold dinar (4.25 grams of 24 carat pure gold if the intercourse occurs in the beginning of menstrual period. But if it happens in the end, it is recommended to give half of dinar.

As Al-Imam Ar-Ramly may ,Allah be merciful to him, said “If the intercourse occurs intentionally in the beginning of menstrual period, it is recommended to give charity according to Islamic value of pure gold {or its value} for at least one poor. In contrast, it is recommended to give the half of the value. {Nehayat Al-Mohtaaj} (323/1)

In both cases, it is not obligatory for the wife to perform bathing from impurity, rather it is sufficient to be washing after being purified of menstruation from the major impurity, as Imam al-Nawawi, may God have mercy on him, says: “If a woman is combined with a menstrual wash and impurity, the intention of one of them will definitely cease.” God knows.

Translated from

1- Dar Aliftaa website