OCCASION OF REVELATION (VERSE NO.222)

      Women have a menstrual flow of minimum of three to a maximum of ten days, and their average menstrual cycle ranger from 26 to 30 days.

      A group of the Jews believe that, association with women during their monthly courses is absolutely unlawful and forbidden, even eating with them on the same table was prohibited by them! On the contrary, a group of Christians believe that it makes not much difference whether a woman be in her period or be not. To them association with such women, and even having sexual intercourse with them is of no harm and objection. Pagan Arabs, more or less were affected by the Jewish ideas, and kept themselves aloof from women in their menstrual periods. To this effect some of the Muslims asked the prophet what was to be done concerning the menstruation and the verse (No. 222) came to answer that question.

COMMENTS

      In this verse we come to another question which is about menstruation saying: ``They ask you concerning menstruation? Say: It is a harm. So keep aloof from women during their periods, and do not approach them for sexual intercourse, until they are clean again.''

      Sexual intercourse in such a condition is dangerous for both of the sexes. It may create abhorrence in them, and result in barrenness of either of the couple; and also for many medical reasons, sexual affairs in the menstrual period is also forbidden by physicians too.

      The verse then adds: ``When they have cleansed come to them as Allah has commanded you.'' This is because physical cleanliness and purity makes for health; bodily as well as spiritual.