The Prophet’s companion, Hazrat Anas (RA), shared how people used to behave before this guidance was given:
The Jews of that time would not sit or eat with women who were on their monthly periods. They would completely isolate them and stay away from them inside their homes.
Seeing this, the companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) went to him and asked about what Muslims should do?
Then, Allah sent down this verse from the Quran:
وَ يَسْتَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَاعْتَزِلُوا النِّسَاءَ فِي المُحِيضِ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّ يَطْهُرْنَ
“They ask you about menstruation. Say, ‘It is an discomfort.’ So keep away from women during menstruation and do not approach them (for sexual relations) until they are clean.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah: 222
Right after this verse was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) clarified: “You can do everything with them as usual, except for sexual intercourse.”
When the local Jews heard about this, they said among themselves, “This man (the Prophet) wants to do the exact opposite of everything we do!”
Hearing their reaction, two companions named Usaid bin Hudair (RA) and Abbad bin Bishr (RA) came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! The Jews are talking like this. Should we also stop mixing and staying with our women during their periods to avoid their talk?”
When the Prophet (PBUH) heard this suggestion, his face changed color out of anger. The companions present there worried that he had become deeply upset with the two men for asking it.
Aisha’s (RA) Experience
To show how normal and loving family life should remain, the Prophet’s wife, Mother Aisha (RA), shared her own experience:
- “Whenever I was on my period, I would drink from a cup and then hand it to the Prophet (PBUH). He would place his mouth on the exact spot where my lips had touched and drink from it.”
- “Similarly, when I was on my period, I would bite off a piece of meat from a bone and hand it to him. He would place his mouth on the exact spot where I had bitten and eat from it.”
The Lesson
Therefore, during their periods, women only need to pause religious actions like performing formal prayers (Salah) and touching the Quran. There is absolutely no need to isolate them, keep them away from the family, or treat them differently at home.
