181. Interpretation Of The Saying Of Allah: "They Ask You Concerning Menstruation"

It was narrated that Anas said: When one of their womenfolk menstruated, the Jews would not eat or drink with them, nor mix with them in their houses. They asked the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) about that, and Allah the Mighty and Sublime revealed: The ask you concerning menstruation. Say: 'That is an Adha (a harmful thing).'[1] So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded them to eat and drink with them (menstruating women) and to mix with them in their houses, and to do everything with them except intercourse. The Jews said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) does not leave anything 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 that 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 they knew that he was not angry with them.

[1] Al-Baqarah 2:222.