Some adherents of the literalist school have said that His words, “Then, when they have purified themselves,” mean that they have washed their private parts. This interpretation is unfounded, for Allah has said:

“If you are in a state of major ritual impurity, purify yourselves.”

Thus, purification in the Book of Allah means bathing. As for His words:

“Indeed, Allah loves those who constantly repent and loves those who purify themselves,”

this includes those who bathe, perform ablution, or cleanse themselves after relieving themselves. However, purification mentioned in connection with menstruation is like purification mentioned in connection with major ritual impurity: what is meant is bathing.

Abū Hanīfah—may Allah have mercy on him—says that intercourse with her becomes permissible if she bathes, a prayer time has elapsed for her, or her bleeding ceases after ten days. This is based on her being deemed ritually pure in these circumstances. The majority’s view is correct, as explained above. And Allah knows best.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

“What is the ruling on having intercourse with a menstruating woman before she bathes? And what is meant by Abū Hanīfah’s statement: ‘If her bleeding ceases before ten days, intercourse with her is not permissible until she bathes; but if her bleeding ceases after ten days, intercourse with her is permissible before she bathes’? Do the other imams agree with this?”

He replied:

“As for the position of the jurists, such as Mālik, al-Shāfi'ī, and Ahmad, it is that it is not permissible