Q: After twenty-two days of postpartum hemorrhage, he had sexual intercourse with his wife. Later, he heard some shaykhs of Masjids (mosques) saying that a woman who has not completed the period of postnatal bleeding but the bleeding has stopped, may perform Ghusl (ritual bath) and observe Salah (prayer). He is asking about the ruling on having sexual intercourse with the wife before the end of her postpartum period?

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions. The majority of scholars are of the opinion that the longest postpartum period is forty days and their nights, based on the report of Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhy on the authority of Um Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: “At the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the postpartum woman would wait for forty days.” Al-Daraqutny related on the authority of Um Salamah that she asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), “How long should a woman wait (stop praying and fasting) after she gives birth?” He replied, “Forty days, unless she sees that she has become pure (from postpartum blood) before that.” Abu `Isa Al-Tirmidhy said: Scholars comprising the Prophet’s Companions and their Followers unanimously agree that a woman who has just given birth must stop offering Salah for forty days, unless she sees that she is pure before the end of that period. If she does, she should perform Ghusl and offer Salah.The ruling on having sexual intercourse with a postpartum woman is that it is as prohibited as with a menstruating woman. He who does so should seek Allah’s forgiveness, repent to Him, and give a Dinar (old Arab coin that equals 2.975 grams of gold) or half a Dinar in charity as Kaffarah (expiation) for what he committed. Ahmad and the Compilers of Sunan (Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'y and Ibn Majah) reported with a good Isnad (chain of narrators) on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that the husband who has sexual intercourse with his wife during menstruation: should give a Dinar or half a Dinar in charity (Part No. 5; Page No. 416) The Dinar is 4/7 of the Saudi golden pound. For example, if the Saudi pound equals 70 Riyals, you should pay 20 Riyals or 40 Riyals to the poor. But if sexual intercourse with your wife happened during a cessation of postpartum blood after she was purified by taking Ghusl, there is no sin on you even if she has not completed the forty days.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.