Is it permissible for a man to fondle his wife during her menstrual period near the vulva without penetration, while satisfying his wife's desires?
It is unanimously prohibited to have intercourse with a menstruating wife. It is permissible for the husband to enjoy her above the navel and below the knee without any dispute. As for direct physical contact between the navel and the knee, excluding the vagina, the Hanafis, Malikis, and Shafi'is have ruled it prohibited. However, the Hanbalis, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan from the Hanafis, Asbagh and Ibn Habib from the Malikis, and An-Nawawi and Ibn Hazm have ruled it permissible. The more preponderant opinion is permissibility, based on the hadith of Anas that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Do everything except intercourse." Therefore, it is permissible to have direct physical contact with a menstruating wife in areas other than the vagina, even if it leads to ejaculation, provided one takes precautions against blood. Avoiding this is preferable for anyone who fears falling into the prohibited.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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