Q: We know a woman who suffered a miscarriage without any cause, (it was Allah’s Decree). Can her husband have intercourse with her directly after that or should he wait for forty days (postpartum period)?

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions. If the organs of the fetus are formed, i.e. Hands, feet, or head are discernible, it is prohibited for the husband to have sexual intercourse with his wife as long as bleeding continues over a period of forty days; however, he can have sexual intercourse with her during these forty days, if the blood ceases and she performs Ghusl (ritual bath). In the case where the organs of the fetus are not formed yet, the husband is permitted to have sexual intercourse with his wife even if there is discharge of blood, because it is not considered postpartum blood. Rather it is an abnormal vaginal bleeding, which, while experiencing it, the wife is permitted to observe Sawm (Fast) and Salah (Prayer) after performing Wudu’ (ablution) for every prayer, and it becomes lawful for her husband to have sexual intercourse with her. (Part No. 5; Page No. 423) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.