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Fiqh Variants
Surah: Al-Baqarah (222)
"Yathurna / Yatataharna" in Al-Baqarah 222 — Jurisprudence Through the Reading
وَلَا تَقۡرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطۡهُرۡنَ
— البقرة الآية 222
The verse:
"Do not approach them until they are pure [yathurna]; when they have purified [tatahharna], approach them." (Al-Baqarah: 222)
The two readings:
The majority requires bathing, combining both readings: "yathurna" = cessation of blood; "yatataharna" = bathing — both are conditions.
"Do not approach them until they are pure [yathurna]; when they have purified [tatahharna], approach them." (Al-Baqarah: 222)
The two readings:
- "Yathurna" (light ta): read by Ibn Kathir, Abu Amr, Nafi, Ibn Amir, Abu Jafar. Meaning: cessation of menstrual blood — natural purification.
- "Yattaharna" (heavy ta, from yatataharna): read by Asim, Hamza, Al-Kisa'i, Khalaf. Meaning: bathing with water after blood stops.
- Readers of "yathurna": permissibility established by cessation of blood alone — position of Malik and Abu Hanifah in some narrations.
- Readers of "yatataharna": bathing required before intercourse — position of Shafi'i, Ahmad, and the majority.
The majority requires bathing, combining both readings: "yathurna" = cessation of blood; "yatataharna" = bathing — both are conditions.
Source: Al-Nashr (2/228); Ibn Qudamah, Al-Mughni (1/383); Al-Itihaf; Al-Tabari Tafseer (4/406)
Test Yourself
How did the two readings "yathurna" and "yatataharna" affect the jurisprudential issue of intercourse after menstruation?
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