❖ Misconceptions About Menstruation and Childbirth in Light of Islamic Teachings ❖
In pluralistic and culturally mixed societies, it is common to witness the influence of multiple religious traditions. However, when Muslims adopt non-Islamic customs, particularly regarding menstruation and childbirth, it reflects a lack of knowledge and distance from authentic Islamic teachings.
Especially in the Indian Subcontinent, Hindu traditions have seeped into certain Muslim practices, particularly in the treatment of women during menstruation and postpartum periods.
According to the Bible, a menstruating woman was considered impure:
✔ Any bed she sat on or vessel she touched was rendered impure
✔ She could only be considered pure after specific sacrifices were performed
In Hindu culture:
✔ A woman in menstruation is kept isolated
✔ She is prohibited from engaging in various household activities and religious practices
Even today, some tribal communities in Gilgit and surrounding areas practice extreme segregation of menstruating women.
A BBC report quotes a woman:
"I got my first period at age 12, and was forced to live in a mud hut during those days. I wasn't allowed to go to school or touch books. Even food was thrown to me instead of being handed."
In certain cultures, postpartum women are treated as impure for 40 days:
A mother endures nine months of physical hardship, and post-childbirth she requires utmost nurturing, not isolation.
Islam rejects all concepts of impurity or inferiority associated with menstruation or childbirth.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ demonstrated compassion, love, and normalcy toward women during these times.
Sayyiduna Anas (رضي الله عنه) reported:
“When a woman was in her menses, the Jews would neither eat with her nor stay with her in the same house.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Do everything with her except for intercourse.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ḥayḍ, Ḥadīth: 302]
Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) said:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would ask me to tie a waist-wrapper and then he would embrace me while I was menstruating.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 300, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 293]
“The Prophet ﷺ would rest his head in my lap and recite Qur’an, even when I was menstruating.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 297, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 301]
Islam prohibits menstruating women from entering mosques, not as a form of discrimination, but due to practical reasons related to ritual purity.
➤ In these days, women are exempted from certain obligatory acts of worship, such as ṣalāh and fasting, as a form of ease and compassion, not exclusion.
✔ Islam does not view menstruation or childbirth as impure or shameful
✔ Unlike other religions, Islam offers honor, comfort, and affection to women during these periods
✔ Only intercourse is prohibited during menstruation — all other forms of affection and intimacy are permissible
Islam has elevated the status of women, ensuring their dignity, even in times when other societies cast them aside
❀ Social Influence and Issues in Mixed Societies
In pluralistic and culturally mixed societies, it is common to witness the influence of multiple religious traditions. However, when Muslims adopt non-Islamic customs, particularly regarding menstruation and childbirth, it reflects a lack of knowledge and distance from authentic Islamic teachings.
Especially in the Indian Subcontinent, Hindu traditions have seeped into certain Muslim practices, particularly in the treatment of women during menstruation and postpartum periods.
❖ The Status of Menstruating Women in Jewish and Hindu Cultures
✿ Jewish Teachings:
According to the Bible, a menstruating woman was considered impure:
✔ Any bed she sat on or vessel she touched was rendered impure
✔ She could only be considered pure after specific sacrifices were performed
✿ Hindu Practices:
In Hindu culture:
✔ A woman in menstruation is kept isolated
✔ She is prohibited from engaging in various household activities and religious practices
✿ Tribal Customs in Northern Pakistan:
Even today, some tribal communities in Gilgit and surrounding areas practice extreme segregation of menstruating women.
A BBC report quotes a woman:
"I got my first period at age 12, and was forced to live in a mud hut during those days. I wasn't allowed to go to school or touch books. Even food was thrown to me instead of being handed."
❖ Discriminatory Attitudes During Childbirth
In certain cultures, postpartum women are treated as impure for 40 days:
- Their bed, dishes, and furniture are kept separate
- They are emotionally and physically neglected at a time when they most need care, love, and support
✿ Reality:
A mother endures nine months of physical hardship, and post-childbirth she requires utmost nurturing, not isolation.
❖ Islamic Teachings on Menstruation and Postpartum Periods
Islam rejects all concepts of impurity or inferiority associated with menstruation or childbirth.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ demonstrated compassion, love, and normalcy toward women during these times.
◈ Companionship During Menstruation:
Sayyiduna Anas (رضي الله عنه) reported:
“When a woman was in her menses, the Jews would neither eat with her nor stay with her in the same house.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Do everything with her except for intercourse.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ḥayḍ, Ḥadīth: 302]
◈ Expressing Love During Menstruation:
Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) said:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would ask me to tie a waist-wrapper and then he would embrace me while I was menstruating.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 300, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 293]
“The Prophet ﷺ would rest his head in my lap and recite Qur’an, even when I was menstruating.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 297, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 301]
❖ Why Can't a Menstruating Woman Enter the Mosque?
Islam prohibits menstruating women from entering mosques, not as a form of discrimination, but due to practical reasons related to ritual purity.
➤ In these days, women are exempted from certain obligatory acts of worship, such as ṣalāh and fasting, as a form of ease and compassion, not exclusion.
❖ Summary & Conclusion
✔ Islam does not view menstruation or childbirth as impure or shameful
✔ Unlike other religions, Islam offers honor, comfort, and affection to women during these periods
✔ Only intercourse is prohibited during menstruation — all other forms of affection and intimacy are permissible
Islam has elevated the status of women, ensuring their dignity, even in times when other societies cast them aside