Ruling on ‘Umrah for a Menstruating Woman and Delaying Its Performance
Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
A woman passed by the Miqat while she was in a state of menstruation. She assumed Ihram from there and came to Makkah, and then delayed performing ‘Umrah until she became pure. What is the ruling concerning her ‘Umrah in this case?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
In such a case, the ‘Umrah is valid, even if the woman delayed it by one or two days — provided that the ‘Umrah is performed after attaining purity from menstruation. This is because it is not permissible for a menstruating woman to perform Ṭawāf of the Ka‘bah.
When ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) assumed Ihram for ‘Umrah and travelled to Makkah, her menstruation began upon arrival. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
« احرمی بالحج وأفْعَلِی مَا يَفْعَلُ الْحَاجُّ غَيْرَ أَنْ لَا تَطُوفِی بِالْبَيْتِ »
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ḥayḍ, Bāb Taqḍī al-Ḥā’iḍ al-Manāsik Kullihā illā al-Ṭawāf, Ḥadīth: 305)
“Assume Ihram for Hajj and do everything the pilgrims do, except do not perform the Ṭawāf of the House.”
When Ṣafiyyah (رضي الله عنها) began menstruating, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
« اَحَابِسَتُنَا هِیَ؟ »
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ḥajj, Bāb Wujūb Ṭawāf al-Wadāʿ wa Suqūṭuhu ʿan al-Ḥā’iḍ, Ḥadīth: 1211)
“Is she going to detain us?”
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) feared that she had not yet performed Ṭawāf al-Ifāḍah. When he was informed that she had already done so, he said:
« فَانْفِرِیْ »
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb Jazā’ aṣ-Ṣayd, Bāb Mā Yunhā min aṭ-Ṭīb lil-Muḥrim wa al-Muḥrimah, Ḥadīth: 1838)
“(Then) depart.”
✔ A menstruating woman is not permitted to perform Ṭawāf of the Ka‘bah.
✔ If she enters Makkah in a state of menstruation, she must wait until she becomes pure and then perform Ṭawāf.
✔ If menstruation begins after performing Ṭawāf but before Saʿī, she should complete her ‘Umrah — there is no expiation or penalty upon her.
✔ If menstruation starts after Saʿī, then Ṭawāf al-Wadāʿ is not obligatory upon her, as it is waived for menstruating women.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
❖ Question
A woman passed by the Miqat while she was in a state of menstruation. She assumed Ihram from there and came to Makkah, and then delayed performing ‘Umrah until she became pure. What is the ruling concerning her ‘Umrah in this case?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
In such a case, the ‘Umrah is valid, even if the woman delayed it by one or two days — provided that the ‘Umrah is performed after attaining purity from menstruation. This is because it is not permissible for a menstruating woman to perform Ṭawāf of the Ka‘bah.
✿ Incident of ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها):
When ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) assumed Ihram for ‘Umrah and travelled to Makkah, her menstruation began upon arrival. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
« احرمی بالحج وأفْعَلِی مَا يَفْعَلُ الْحَاجُّ غَيْرَ أَنْ لَا تَطُوفِی بِالْبَيْتِ »
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ḥayḍ, Bāb Taqḍī al-Ḥā’iḍ al-Manāsik Kullihā illā al-Ṭawāf, Ḥadīth: 305)
“Assume Ihram for Hajj and do everything the pilgrims do, except do not perform the Ṭawāf of the House.”
✿ Incident of Ṣafiyyah (رضي الله عنها):
When Ṣafiyyah (رضي الله عنها) began menstruating, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
« اَحَابِسَتُنَا هِیَ؟ »
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ḥajj, Bāb Wujūb Ṭawāf al-Wadāʿ wa Suqūṭuhu ʿan al-Ḥā’iḍ, Ḥadīth: 1211)
“Is she going to detain us?”
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) feared that she had not yet performed Ṭawāf al-Ifāḍah. When he was informed that she had already done so, he said:
« فَانْفِرِیْ »
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb Jazā’ aṣ-Ṣayd, Bāb Mā Yunhā min aṭ-Ṭīb lil-Muḥrim wa al-Muḥrimah, Ḥadīth: 1838)
“(Then) depart.”
❖ Conclusion
✔ A menstruating woman is not permitted to perform Ṭawāf of the Ka‘bah.
✔ If she enters Makkah in a state of menstruation, she must wait until she becomes pure and then perform Ṭawāf.
✔ If menstruation begins after performing Ṭawāf but before Saʿī, she should complete her ‘Umrah — there is no expiation or penalty upon her.
✔ If menstruation starts after Saʿī, then Ṭawāf al-Wadāʿ is not obligatory upon her, as it is waived for menstruating women.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
