A Matter Women Should Learn

The fifteenth is a ruling more particular still: the laws of menstruation. It is a matter of real importance, and the difficulty is that a great many women have no idea when the period begins and when it ends. Several courses have accordingly been run to equip women, both ʿālimahs and others, to understand this properly, so that they may help. Otherwise women must come to men with such questions, and they feel much embarrassed, the matter being a very personal one. It is therefore important that this be learnt. There is a course for women upon it, directed at beginners as well, and it is well worth understanding.

Allah mentions it in the Qur'an, addressing men: that a man may have desire at that time, but that it is a season of rest, in which the intimate act is not permitted. Other forms of intimacy remain — and the language here is kept general, since there may be children listening. There may be general and mutual intimate benefit, but not in that one place. For it is adhā, it is harmful. At that time it is harmful, and is therefore to be avoided.