29/04/2026
❓ Question 1
How many days does a postpartum (after childbirth) woman remain impure?
Can she sleep in the same bed with her husband during this time?
💌 Answer 1
After childbirth, a woman remains in the state of postnatal bleeding (Nifas) for a maximum of 40 days.
A hadith narrated by Umm Salama (RA) states:
“During the time of the Prophet (ﷺ), women in postnatal bleeding would refrain (from prayer, etc.) for forty days or forty nights.”
(Sahih Abu Dawud, Hadith 311)
❗ During this state:
It is not permissible for her to:
* Perform Salah (prayer)
* Fast (Sawm)
* Perform Tawaf of the Kaaba
* Have sexual in*******se with her husband
✅ However:
* It is permissible for husband and wife to:
* Sleep together in the same bed
* Touch each other
* Show affection and intimacy (without in*******se)
* The husband will not become impure بسبب this
* She can do all normal household activities (like cooking, etc.)
* The idea that she cannot work is a superstition, and Islam does not support superstition
🕌 About missed عبادات:
* Missed prayers do NOT need to be made up (Qaza)
* Missed fasts must be made up later
Another hadith states:
“Women during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ) would remain in postnatal bleeding for forty days, and he did not order them to make up missed prayers.”
(Irwa al-Ghalil, Hadith 201)
⏱ Important:
* If bleeding stops before 40 days, she must:
* Perform Ghusl (ritual bath)
* Resume prayer and fasting
* If bleeding continues after 40 days, it is considered illness (Istihada):
* She should clean herself properly
* Perform fresh ablution (Wudu) for each prayer
⸻
❓ Question 2
Until how many days after childbirth is sexual in*******se prohibited?
💌 Answer 2
After childbirth, bleeding similar to menstruation occurs, known as Nifas.
* As long as bleeding continues (within 40 days),
👉 sexual in*******se is prohibited
* The maximum duration is 40 days
⚠️ Important clarification:
* If bleeding stops before 40 days:
* She should perform Ghusl
* Resume prayer
* Sexual in*******se becomes permissible
* If bleeding continues beyond 40 days:
* After 40 days, she must resume prayer
* The continued bleeding is treated as illness
A hadith states:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) set forty days for postnatal bleeding, unless she becomes pure before that.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 649)
⸻
📌 Summary (Very Simple):
* Maximum Nifas period = 40 days
* If bleeding stops earlier → become pure immediately
* In*******se = Not allowed during bleeding
* Allowed once bleeding stops and Ghusl is done
