Muhammad ibn al-Muthanna and Ibn Bashshar narrated to us—Ibn al-Muthanna said: Muhammad ibn Ja'far narrated to us, Shu'bah narrated to us, from Ibrahim ibn al-Muhajir, who said: I heard Safiyyah narrating from 'A'ishah that Asma' asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, about the ritual washing after menstruation. He said: "One of you takes her water and her lote leaves, and purifies herself, doing the purification well. Then she pours water over her head and rubs it vigorously until the water reaches the roots of her hair. Then she pours water over herself. Then she takes a piece of cotton perfumed with musk and purifies herself with it." Asma' said: "How does she purify herself with it?" He said: "Glory be to Allah—purify yourself with it." 'A'ishah said—as if she were concealing that—"She follows the traces of the blood." And she asked him about the ritual washing after sexual defilement, and he said: "She takes water and purifies herself, doing the purification well—or, reaching the purification—then she pours water over her head and rubs it until the water reaches the roots of her hair. Then she pours water over herself." 'A'ishah said: "How excellent are the women of the Ansar! Shyness did not prevent them from seeking understanding in the religion."