And when there was a reference in mentioning this verse to completing what was permitted of sexual relations during the nights of fasting in the best manner, it was followed by a question about the intimacy with the menstruating woman. Since there is a complication in marriage regarding sexual intercourse that raises questions about its conditions, and a complication regarding divorce and benefit that distracts from that, the arrangement of the verse about cultivation with the verse about marriage through conjunction is more appropriate than through initiation. So He said: ﴿And they ask you about menstruation﴾, meaning about the marriage of women during it, which is contrary to the Jews.

Al-Harali said: It is a [UNTRANSLATED-LATIN: maf'il] from menstruation, which is the agreement of the flow of the foul blood that is in the blood, akin to urine and excrement in the virtues of food and drink from the private parts. ﴿Say: It is an impurity﴾, meaning harmful to the body and soul because it involves the mixing of the sperm with the filth of the corrupt blood - Al-Harali said this. He also said: It is said that the one who is engaged with a menstruating woman may have various afflictions in her offspring - this has ended.

And for this reason, glorified and exalted is He, He caused His saying: ﴿So keep away from women﴾, meaning you are obliged to refrain from having relations with them, from separation, which is the request for isolation from what is usually shared - Al-Harali said this.

﴿In menstruation﴾, meaning its time, and He made it clear so that it would not be misleading, had He implied that the pronoun refers to the general meaning of the impurity from the blood, it would include irregular bleeding, which is valid blood that flows from a vein that bursts from the neck of the womb, and it is not an impurity like menstruation, which is corrupt blood that originates from the nature of the woman through the womb. If it were to be retained, the woman would become ill. It is like urine and excrement, so intercourse is permissible with it, unlike menstruation, to alleviate hardship - the Imam said this.

﴿And do not approach them﴾ meaning in the place of coming together with intercourse or direct contact in what is below the garment. Rather, direct contact should be in what is above the garment. ﴿Until﴾ and when there is in it what has been indicated (p-276) of the filth, He said: ﴿They should purify themselves﴾ meaning by its cessation and the passing of its time and the washing from it. The indication of this intention, along with the reading of emphasis, is His saying, the Exalted: ﴿So when they have purified themselves﴾ meaning they have bathed. Thus, intercourse has two conditions: cessation and bathing. And perhaps the reading of the lightening indicates the permissibility of approaching, not coming together, and that is by direct contact in what is below the garment. ﴿So go to them﴾ meaning with intercourse and mixing, beginning ﴿from where Allah has commanded you﴾ meaning the One who has the attributes of perfection, which is the front, in whatever state that may be; and when what is in the context indicates emphasis that some of them had determined or loved to do some of what was previously forbidden, He explained by saying: ﴿Indeed, Allah﴾ (p-277) repeating the greatest name in glorification of the status, and He did not conceal it, indicating that this is a general ruling for what occurs from a slip due to menstruation or otherwise. ﴿Loves﴾ meaning with what He has of encompassing honor, even if it is specific to encompassing majesty. ﴿The repentant﴾ meaning those who return from what they had determined to do of that and from every sin that necessitated for them a deficiency in humanity, especially the desire for the private parts. Whenever a slip occurs from them, they initiate a repentance for it, because that is one of the reasons for manifesting Him, glorified and exalted is He, with the attributes of forbearance, pardon, generosity, mercy, and nobility. "If you did not sin, Allah would bring forth a people who would sin, then seek forgiveness, and He would forgive them." This was narrated by Muslim and Al-Tirmidhi from Abu Ayyub, may Allah be pleased with him.

And if one who frequently repents from repeated sins loves it, he is in the category of the repentant who has not committed a slip after his repentance, if that exists, he loves it, and in it he is more eager, and with it he is more merciful. And when that is something that is difficult to rid oneself of its association, whether in exceeding what is in direct contact or in (p-278) intercourse, whether first or last, he came with the form of exaggeration.

Al-Harali said: To reassure the hearts of those who are hesitant about returning to sin after repentance from it, meaning and from returning to repentance after falling into a second sin, for what the sinner fears is that his lie will be recorded against him whenever he initiates a repentance and slips after it, so he is considered a mocker and falls from the sight of Allah. Then he does not care about him, and that stops him from repentance.

And when the mixing is in the manner that Allah has prohibited, it is very filthy. He indicated this by His saying: ﴿And He loves﴾. And when the desire for marriage and the intensity of lust are such that they are likely to overpower a person, except with greater struggle from him, He manifested the letter of action by saying: ﴿those who purify themselves﴾, meaning those who carry themselves towards what is difficult in matters of purification from this and other things. They are those who are meticulous in their piety, staying away from every doubtful matter, so they do not engage with a menstruating woman except after complete purification; meaning He treats them with the honor of a lover, and likewise everything that requires physical or spiritual purity.