Can I Have Intercourse after Menstruation before the Ritual Bath?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

What is the ruling regarding having intercourse after the menstruation ends but before the ghusl?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

Allah Most High says, “They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning menstruation. Say: ‘It is a harm; so avoid (intercourse with) women during menstruation and do not approach them till they be cleaned. When they are thus purified, then you may go unto them as Allah has commanded you.’ Verily, Allah loves those who repent constantly, and (He) loves those who purify themselves.” [Quran, 2:222]

For this, it is strictly prohibited to engage in intercourse during the menstruation and even after the menstruation but before the ghusl unless the menstruation ended at the completion of the maximum period length of ten days. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

Given that the intercourse during menstruation was unintentional, it wasn’t sinful. However, it is recommended to give the equivalent of a Dinar or half of a Dinar in charity as expiation. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

A Dinar is equivalent to 4.25 grams of gold (Appx. $230 USD) and the Half Dinar is equal to 2.125 gram (appx. $115 USD). [Birgivi’s Manual Interpreted]

Hope this helps

Allah knows best

[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York, where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and several texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.