𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (331)

A woman should prepare a cloth/tissue to hand to her husband after intimacy Sheikh Sulayman Ar-Ruhaili وفقه الله said: One of the etiquettes of marital relations is that a woman should have a cloth, towel, or similar item ready to offer her husband after intimacy so that he may wipe himself, and she may do the same. Should both spouses use the same cloth, or should each have a separate one? Some jurists have considered it disliked for both to use the same cloth, but the more apparent view—and Allāh knows best—is that there is no harm in doing so. If she prefers, she may prepare a separate cloth or towel for herself, ready for this purpose. Once the husband has completed intimacy, she may hand him his cloth so he can wipe himself, and she may use hers. Alternatively, they may use a single cloth. This practice was common among the women of the Companions (may Allāh be pleased with them) during the time of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. Al-Qāsim ibn Muḥammad reported that he asked ’Ā'ishah (may Allāh be pleased with her) about a man who, after being intimate with his wife, put on his clothes without washing or wiping himself and then he sweats. He asked, "Does this render his clothing impure?" She replied: "In the Prophet’s time, women used to prepare cloths for this purpose. After intimacy, a man would wipe himself with it and did not consider it to cause impurity." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah, Al-Bayhaqi, and ’Abdurrazzāq]. In another narration, ’Ā'ishah (may Allāh be pleased with her) said: "A wise woman should prepare a cloth so that when her husband has been intimate with her, she may hand it to him to wipe himself, and then she may do the same." This indicates that the spouses would pray in their garments afterward, provided no impurity had soiled them. This report is also recorded by Ibn Khuzaymah and Al-Bayhaqi, and Sheikh Al-Albāni (may Allāh have mercy on him) authenticated it. Thus, this was the practice of the wives of the Companions (may Allāh be pleased with them) and the Mothers of the Believers during the Prophet’s time. The narration allows for flexibility, whether each spouse uses a separate cloth or they share one. Among those who also authenticated this narration was Sheikh Al-A‘dhami (may Allāh have mercy on him).