3/8. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 369 — Living With Menstruating Women
How To Interact With A Menstruating Woman And The Interpretation Of The Saying Of Allah: They Ask You Concerning Menstruation. Say: "That Is An Adha (A Harmful Thing), Therefore, Keep Away From Women During Menses And Go Not Unto Them Till They Are Purified." [1]
Hadith About Living With Menstruating Women With Respect
Sunan an-Nasai : 369
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 369
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ كَانَتِ الْيَهُودُ إِذَا حَاضَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ مِنْهُمْ لَمْ يُؤَاكِلُوهُنَّ وَلاَ يُشَارِبُوهُنَّ وَلاَ يُجَامِعُوهُنَّ فِي الْبُيُوتِ فَسَأَلُوا النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ { وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى } الآيَةَ فَأَمَرَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يُؤَاكِلُوهُنَّ وَيُشَارِبُوهُنَّ وَيُجَامِعُوهُنَّ فِي الْبُيُوتِ وَأَنْ يَصْنَعُوا بِهِنَّ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ مَا خَلاَ الْجِمَاعَ . فَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ مَا يَدَعُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم شَيْئًا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا إِلاَّ خَالَفَنَا . فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَعَبَّادُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ فَأَخْبَرَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالاَ أَنُجَامِعُهُنَّ فِي الْمَحِيضِ فَتَمَعَّرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَمَعُّرًا شَدِيدًا حَتَّى ظَنَنَّا أَنَّهُ قَدْ غَضِبَ فَقَامَا فَاسْتَقْبَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم هَدِيَّةَ لَبَنٍ فَبَعَثَ فِي آثَارِهِمَا فَرَدَّهُمَا فَسَقَاهُمَا فَعُرِفَ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَغْضَبْ عَلَيْهِمَا .
Anas Narrated from:
When one of their womenfolk menstruated, the Jews would not eat or drink with them, or mix with them in their houses. They (the Companions) asked the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) about that, and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, revealed the Ayah: They ask you concerning menstruation. Say: "That is an Adha (a harmful thing).[2] So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded them to eat and drink with them (menstruating women) and to mix them in their houses, and to do everything with them except intercourse.The Jews said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) does not leave anything of our affairs except he goes against it.' Usaid bin Hudair and 'Abbad bin Bishr went and told the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and they said: 'Should we have intercourse with them when they are menstruating?' The expression of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) changed greatly until we thought he was angry with them, and they left.Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) received a gift of milk, so he sent someone to bring them back and he gave them some to drink, so we knew that he was not angry with them." [1] Al-Baqarah 2:222 [2] Al-Baqarah 2:222
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 369In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 21English translation : Vol. 1, Book 3, Hadith 369
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 369
This Hadith about menstruation shows a clear correction of harsh social treatment. Anas reported that some Jews would not eat, drink, or mix in houses with women during menstruation. The Companions asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), and the verse about menstruation was revealed. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) then commanded them to eat and drink with menstruating women, mix with them in their houses, and do everything with them except intercourse. The Hadith also shows that when Usaid bin Hudair and Abbad bin Bishr asked further, the Prophet's expression changed. Later, when milk was gifted, he called them back and gave them some to drink, showing they were not left thinking he was angry with them.
What we learn from this hadith
- Menstruating women should not be socially isolated in the way described.
- Eating, drinking, and living together are allowed in the text.
- The Hadith clearly excludes intercourse during menstruation.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) corrected misunderstanding while still showing care.
