Is Ghusl Necessary Before Intercourse and After Menstruation?

Question: 146

After a woman reaches the end of her menstruation cycle, what is the order for her before she can have relations with her husband? I mean is it mandatory for her to perform Ghusl before resuming relations with her husband?

Summary of answer

It is not permissible for a woman to have sex with her husband until she performs ghusl after her period.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

It mandatory for a Muslim woman to perform Ghusl after her menstrual cycle so she can perform prayers. It is not permissible for her to have intercourse with her husband until she performs Ghusl, as Allah Almighty says (interpretation of the meaning):

".. and when they have purified themselves (from menses, have taken a bath) approach them (i.e. for intercourse) as Allah has ordained for you (i.e. in any manner so long as it is in the vagina)." (Al-Baqarah 2:222)

Purification does not mean merely that the blood stops, but also the act of Ghusl afterwards. It is performed by washing the whole body, and it is Sunnah to wipe the area from which the blood effuses with a perfumed (Musk) cloth as indicated by the Hadith in which the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) says:

"Take a piece of cloth or cotton that is perfumed with Musk and purify yourself with it".

May Allah guide us to the right path.

For more, please see these answers: 94839 , 38932 , 2121 , and 50059

And Allah knows best.

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Source:

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid