What is permissible regarding physical contact with a menstruating woman?
Chapter on Menstruation
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Physical contact with a menstruating woman above the navel and below the knee is permissible by explicit text (nass) and consensus (ijma'). Sexual intercourse (wet) within the vagina is forbidden by both. Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, permitted physical contact between these boundaries, a view also narrated from 'Ikrimah, 'Ata', ash-Sha'bi, ath-Thawri, and Ishaq. Al-Hakim also stated something similar, saying there is no harm in placing a cloth over her private parts as long as it is not inserted.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa, Malik, and Shafi'i prohibit such contact based on the narration from Aisha: 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would command me to wear an izar (loincloth), and he would engage in physical intimacy with me while I was menstruating.' They also cite 'Umar's narration where the Prophet (PBUH) replied regarding what is lawful from a wife during menses: 'Above the izar.'