Ruling and Shar‘i Guidance Regarding Tawaf al-Wada‘ During Menstruation
Extracted from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
❖ Ruling on Tawaf al-Wada‘ in the State of Menstruation
Question:
What is the ruling for a woman who begins menstruating before performing Tawaf al-Wada‘?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd…
If a woman has already completed Tawaf al-Ifadah and thereafter begins menstruating — while all other rites of Hajj have been completed and only Tawaf al-Wada‘ remains — then in such a case, Tawaf al-Wada‘ is waived for her.
This ruling is established from the narration of ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنه):
«أُمِرَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يَکُونَ آخِرُ عَهْدِهِمْ بِالْبَيْتِ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ خُفِّفَ عَنِ الْحَائِضِ»
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ḥajj, Bāb Ṭawāf al-Wadāʿ, Ḥadīth: 1755;
Saḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ḥajj, Bāb Wujūb Ṭawāf al-Wadāʿ wa Suqūṭihi ʿan al-Ḥāʾiḍ, Ḥadīth: 1328)
People have been commanded that their final act at the House (Ka‘bah) should be Tawaf, except that a concession has been granted to menstruating women.
Similarly, there is a narration regarding Ṣafiyyah bint Ḥuyayy (رضي الله عنها) that when she menstruated after completing Tawaf al-Ifadah, the Prophet ﷺ was informed. Upon this, he ﷺ said:
«فأنفروا اِذَن»
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ḥajj, Bāb Iḏā Ḥāḍat al-Marʾah Baʿda Mā Afāḍat, Ḥadīth: 1757)
Then there is no harm, proceed with the journey.
That is, in this situation the Prophet ﷺ waived Tawaf al-Wada‘ for her.
❖ Ruling on Tawaf al-Ifadah
However, Tawaf al-Ifadah is not waived due to menstruation. Therefore, if a woman begins menstruating before performing Tawaf al-Ifadah, she has two possible options:
① Remain in Makkah until she becomes pure, then perform Tawaf al-Ifadah.
② Return to her hometown, and when she becomes pure, return to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah.
❖ What Should Be the Procedure Upon Return?
If the woman returns to Makkah, it is preferable that she:
❀ First performs ‘Umrah
❀ Then performs Tawaf and Sa‘y
❀ Cuts her hair
❀ And after that, performs Tawaf al-Ifadah
❖ What If Return Is Not Possible?
If returning to Makkah is not possible due to some reason, then in such a situation:
❀ She should use medical products that stop the flow of blood and prevent the mosque from being defiled (available at medical stores).
❀ Then, due to necessity, she may perform Tawaf al-Ifadah in that state.
The strongest and most reliable opinion on this matter is this.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
