Hadith Text & Context

Narrated Aisha: An Ansari woman asked the Prophet (ﷺ) how to take a bath after finishing from the menses. He replied, "Take a piece a cloth perfumed with musk and clean the private parts with it thrice." The Prophet (ﷺ) felt shy and turned his face. So I pulled her to me and told her what the Prophet (ﷺ) meant.

Scholarly Commentary

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari demonstrates the Prophet's refined character and modesty, even when answering essential religious questions. His turning away reflects Islamic etiquette in discussing intimate matters.

The instruction to use a perfumed cloth serves multiple purposes: it ensures thorough cleansing, removes any residual odor, and provides a pleasant fragrance after purification. The three-fold cleaning emphasizes completeness in the purification process.

Lady Aisha's intervention shows the wisdom of women teaching other women in matters where modesty is concerned, establishing a principle in Islamic education that sensitive topics may be better conveyed through appropriate channels.

Legal Rulings Derived

The primary obligation of ghusl (ritual bath) after menstruation is established through this narration.

Cleansing the private area specifically before the general bath is recommended (mustahabb) according to most scholars.

Using pleasant scents after purification is a Sunnah practice, though not obligatory.

Modesty in speech and conduct, even when discussing necessary religious matters, remains an important Islamic virtue.