Question
What is the translation of يباشِرُها in the following Hadith?
عن عائشة أم المؤمنين رضي الله عنها قالت: كان إحدانا إذا كانتْ حائضًا، أمَرَها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فتأتزر بإزارٍ، ثم يباشِرُها
Answer
Imams Bukhari, Muslim and others (rahimahumullah) have recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha).
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 302, and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 293)
The word يباشرها stems from the word مباشرة.
Linguistically, this word denotes skin to skin contact [i.e, fondling]. As per the context of this Hadith, the word مباشرة will be understood literally [in its linguistic sense], and as such, no metaphorical meaning signifying sexual intercourse should be implied.
(Refer: An-Nihayah, Letters: ب ش ر, Al-Minhaj, Hadith: 677, Fathul Bari, Before Hadith: 299, ‘Umdatul Qari, Hadith: 299-302, and Kalimatun ‘An Manhajil Imamil Bukhari of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah hafizahullah, pgs. 45-46)
Translation
Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) has said:
‘When one of us was experiencing her menses, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would instruct her, [after which] she would wrap herself up with a lower garment. He would then display his affection through physical contact [or fondling].
Note: This is merely a translation of the aforementioned Hadith. For further queries regarding the Fiqhi understanding/application of the Hadith, kindly refer to a Mufti/Darul Ifta.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar