Q: The women in our area have this notion that during haidh nifaas they are not allowed to do ghusl with water, moreover they are not allowed to bath during these periods. They say that if they do so they will become ill. Also they do not drink cold water. I understand that bathing and doing ghusl will not not get rid of impurity during these periods but is it true that they are not allowed to use water to clean private parts and/or bath. Please expand on this topic maybe highlighting the shariah and hikmat perspectives on this issue. Jazakallah
A: These things are baseless. In Islam, a woman in haidh or nifaas is allowed to take a ghusal at the time she is in need of ghusal, though this ghusal will not purify her from her haidh or nifaas. As far as istinja is concerned, it is compulsory upon her to use water to remove the traces of napaaki (faeces which soil the area around the private part) at the time of istinja.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
( فصل ) في الإحرام وصفة المفرد بالحج ( ومن شاء الإحرام ) وهو شرط صحبة النسك ( توضأ وغسله أحب وهو للنظافة ) لا للطهارة ( فيحب ) بحاء مهملة ( في حق حائض ونفساء ) وصبي
قال الشامي : قوله ( في حق حائض ونفساء ) أي قبل انقطاع دمهما بقرينة التفريع إذ بعد الانقطاع يكون طهارة ونظافة والمراد من التفريع بيان صورة لا توجد فيها الطهارة ليعلم أنه لم يشرع لأجلها فقط (رد المحتار 2/ 479-480)
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