Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: A woman came to the service of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and she asked him about the ritual bath (ghusl) after menstruation. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed her to perform ghusl with water and lotus leaves, then to take a piece of cotton and purify herself with it. She asked: How should I purify myself with it? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Purify yourself with it. She again asked: How should I purify myself with it? Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) placed his blessed hand on his face and said: Subhan Allah! Purify yourself with it. Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: I pulled that woman towards myself and explained to her that you should clean the traces of blood with it.