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