The ruling on using menstruation-preventing medicines for performing Hajj or Umrah
Question: Is it permissible for a woman to use menstruation-preventing medicines so that she can perform the rituals of Hajj or Umrah with ease?
Answer: I do not see any harm in adopting this menstruation-preventing medical method, provided that the doctor believes that using these pills will not harm the woman. Moreover, the fundamental principle in everything is that it must be permissible and lawful, and no forbidden or prohibited act is committed in this mentioned process. (Therefore, it is permissible.)
(Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him)
Question: There are some pills that stop menstruation or delay its time for women. Is it permissible to use these pills only during Hajj out of fear that menstruation might start?
Answer: It is permissible for a woman to use menstruation-preventing pills out of fear that menstruation might start during Hajj, but the condition is that a specialist doctor advises that it will not harm the woman’s health. Similarly, during Ramadan, if a woman prefers to fast with others, she may use menstruation-preventing pills. (Saudi Fatwa Committee)
Ruling on blood that comes after the days of menstruation
Question: I notice that after performing the ritual bath (ghusl) following menstruation and after completing the five days of menstruation, sometimes a very small amount of blood comes out, and this happens immediately after the ghusl. Then nothing comes after that. I do not know whether I should count the five days of menstruation as the menstruation period and ignore the blood that came afterward and pray and fast, which I do without difficulty, or should I count the day on which the small amount of blood came as part of the menstruation days and neither pray nor fast on that day? It should be noted that this does not always happen; rather, it happens after two or three menstruations. I hope you will provide an answer.
Answer: If the discharge after the ritual bath is yellowish or pale in color, it is not to be considered at all; rather, its ruling is like urine.
But if it is clear blood, then it will be counted as menstruation, and you must perform the ritual bath again, because Umm Atiyyah, may Allah be pleased with her, who is among the Prophet’s companions, said:
كنا لانعد الصفرة والكدرة بعد الطهر شيئا
“We did not describe the yellowish and pale-colored discharge after being free from menstruation.”
(Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz, may Allah have mercy on him)
Ruling on a Menstruating Woman Entering the Mosque
Question: Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to enter the mosque?
Answer: It is permissible for a menstruating woman to enter the mosque based on both negative and positive evidences.
1. Negative Evidence: There is no evidence that prohibits a woman from entering the mosque, and this is established by a fundamental principle which is:
إن الأصل فى الأشياء الإباحة
“Indeed, the original ruling concerning things is permissibility.”
And to prohibit something, a specific evidence is required. There is absolutely no authentic hadith that forbids a menstruating woman from entering the mosque.
2. Positive Evidence: The hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated in Sahih Bukhari from Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) states that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was near Mecca at a place called Sarf during the Farewell Pilgrimage, Aisha became menstruous. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to her and saw her crying, he asked her: مالك ؟ أنفست ؟ “What is the matter with you? (Why are you crying?) Have you started menstruating?” Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
هذا أمر كتبه الله على بنات آدم ، فاصنعي ما يصنع الحاج ، غير ألا تطوفي ولا تصلي
“This (menstruation) is a matter that Allah has decreed upon the daughters of Adam, so do everything that a pilgrim does except circumambulation (Tawaf) and prayer.”
This is the clear text on the issue that it is permissible for a menstruating woman to enter the mosque, even in the Haram (sacred mosque). The Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) to do everything that a pilgrim does, meaning entering the mosque, performing Tawaf, and praying. A pilgrim does all these things, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) exempted her from performing Tawaf and prayer.
Therefore, a menstruating woman will enter the mosque and recite the Quran. Whoever claims otherwise must present evidence proving that it is forbidden for a woman to enter the mosque, and also prove that this prohibition applies after the state of purity. (Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him)
Reading Supplications and Reciting the Quran by a Menstruating Woman
Question: Is it permissible for Aisha to read books of supplications on the day of Arafah, even though these books contain Quranic verses?
Answer: There is no harm for a menstruating or postpartum woman in reciting the obligatory supplications of Hajj rituals, and according to the correct opinion, there is also no harm in their reciting the Quran, because there is no authentic and explicit text that prohibits a menstruating or postpartum woman from reciting the Quran. However, there is a specific text for a janabi (one in a state of major ritual impurity) that he should not recite the Quran in the state of janabah, because there is a narration from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) forbidding it.
As for the narration from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) regarding menstruating and postpartum women:
لا تقرأ الحائض ولا الجنب شيئا من القرآن
“A menstruating woman and a janabi should absolutely not recite the Quran.”
This narration is weak because it is narrated by Ismail bin Ayyash from the people of Hijaz, and he is weak in narrating from the people of Hijaz. However, a menstruating or postpartum woman may recite the Quran verbally without touching the Mushaf. As for the janabi, it is not permissible for him to recite the Quran verbally or by looking at the Mushaf without performing ghusl. The difference between a janabi and a menstruating or postpartum woman is that the janabah state is undoubtedly short in duration; it is possible for him to perform ghusl immediately after intercourse with his wife, so the period of janabah is not a fixed duration and is under his control—he may perform ghusl whenever he wishes and become pure. And if he is unable to use water, he may perform tayammum and pray and recite the Quran. But menstruation and postpartum bleeding are not under the control of the menstruating or postpartum woman; rather, they are in the hands of Allah Almighty. Menstruation lasts for several days, and so does postpartum bleeding. Therefore, reciting the Quran has been made permissible for them so that they do not forget it and so that they do not miss out on the virtue of Quranic recitation and the learning of Shariah rulings from the Book of Allah. Thus, it is permissible for a menstruating or postpartum woman to read such books that contain supplications which include verses and ahadith, and this is the correct view. Among the two opinions of the scholars, the more correct one is this.
(Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz, may Allah have mercy on him)
Ruling on Using Pills to Prevent Menstruation for Fasting
Question: What is your opinion regarding the use of pills that stop menstruation in order to fast together with others?
Answer: I warn you against using these pills because their use causes great harm. I have learned this through some doctors. Therefore, a woman should be told: Menstruation is something that Allah has decreed upon the daughters of Adam, so be content with what Allah Almighty has decreed. When there is no impediment, fast; and when there is an impediment, be content with Allah’s decree and refrain from fasting.
(Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him)
Question: What is the ruling on the use of menstrual prevention pills?
Answer: There is no harm for a woman to use menstrual prevention pills as long as they do not harm her health and her husband permits it.
However, as far as I know, undoubtedly these pills are harmful to women, and it is a known fact that the discharge of menstrual blood is natural and normal. When a natural process is stopped at its appointed time, it inevitably harms the body.
Similarly, one should avoid using these pills because they disrupt the woman’s menstrual cycle and cause irregularities and disturbances in her natural habit. This leads to confusion and doubt regarding her prayers, intimacy with her husband, and other matters. Therefore, I do not say that they are forbidden, but because they are harmful to the woman, I do not recommend that she use them.
I say that it is appropriate for a woman to be content with what Allah has decreed for her. When the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, came to Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, during the Farewell Pilgrimage, she was crying while she was in the state of Ihram for Umrah. The Prophet, peace be upon him, asked:
مالك ؟ أنفست ؟ قالت : نعم ، قال : هذا شيء كتبه الله على بنات آدم
“What is the matter with you? Perhaps you have your menses?” She said: “Yes.” He said: “It is something that Allah has decreed for the daughters of Adam.”
Therefore, it is appropriate for a woman to be patient and intend reward. When prayer and fasting become difficult due to menstruation, the door of remembrance remains open, praise be to Allah. She should remember Allah, glorify Allah, give charity, and treat people kindly with her words and actions. Indeed, these are among the best deeds. (Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him)
