Q: Is it permissible for a husband and his wife to put no clothes on under one quilt or not?

A: It is permissible for a husband and his wife to sleep naked under one quilt for it is permissible for both spouses to touch and look at each other's bodies. It was related by Abu Dawud and Al-Nasa'y on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) (Part No. 19; Page No. 360) that she said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and I used to lie in one cloth at night while I was menstruating. If anything from me smeared him, he used to wash the same place (that was smeared), and did not wash beyond it. If anything from me smeared his clothes, he used to wash the same place and did not wash beyond that, and prayed with it (i.e. the clothes). However, the husband should command his wife in this case to put on Izar (dress worn below the waist) if she is menstruating. It was related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: During my menses, the Messenger (peace be upon him) used to order me to put on an Izar (dress worn below the waist) and used to fondle me. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.