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Menstruating women and Umrah

Menstruating Women and Umrah - Important Rulings and Advice for Women

Intention to perform Umrah while menstruating and performing Umrah is a huge decision, one that hearts yearn for and steps rush toward. However, many women are surprised by the onset of their menstrual cycle when preparing to travel or arriving in Mecca. This is where the questions begin: Is it permissible to perform Umrah while menstruating? What can I do? Should I return without performing Umrah?

 

Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to perform Umrah?

A menstruating woman is not permitted to perform the entire Umrah while menstruating, as she is unable to perform Tawaf, which is a pillar of Umrah. However, she may assume Ihram and begin the rituals, and she must wait until she becomes pure to complete the remaining rituals.

 

The ruling on ihram for a menstruating woman and for Umrah:

  • A menstruating woman performing Umrah is prohibited from performing Hajj just like a pure woman, from the Miqat, and she says:"At your service, O Allah, for Umrah"
  • It is permissible for her to enter ihram while she is menstruating, provided that she does not circumambulate the House until she becomes pure.

Evidence: On the authority of Aisha, may God be pleased with her:“We went out with the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, and we did not think it was any other than Hajj. When we came to Sarif, I menstruated. The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, came to me while I was crying. He said, ‘Perhaps you have menstruated?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘That is something that God has decreed for the daughters of Adam, so do what the pilgrim does, except do not circumambulate the House.’” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

 

What is permissible for a menstruating woman to do of the rituals of Umrah?

  • Ihram from the Miqat
  • Talbiyah and remembrance of God
  • Staying in ihram
  • Reading supplications and remembrances.

All of these actions are permissible for a menstruating woman to perform Umrah, without Tawaf or Sa’i between Safa and Marwa.

 

What a menstruating woman is not permitted to do during Umrah:

  • Entering the Grand Mosque
  • Circumambulating the Kaaba
  • Walking between Safa and Marwa
  • the prayer 
  • Reading the Qur’an from the Mushaf

 

How to perform menstruationfor UmrahWhen the travel date is approaching or the period is ending:

If there is a short time or the return date is approaching, it is preferable to:

  • Waiting until purification:

If possible, this is the best legal option. Perform ablution and complete the Umrah immediately.

  • Converting to Hajj Tamattu (if it is during the Hajj months):

If she intended to perform Umrah only, and her period came before performing Tawaf, she may change her intention to Hajj (as happened with Aisha, may God be pleased with her).

  • Returning without Umrah in case of extreme necessity:

If you are unable to perform Tawaf before returning, and are forced to leave Mecca, then hereShe remains in her state of ihram and completes the ritual by shaving or shortening her hair and offers a ransom, according to the most correct opinion of some scholars.

 

The difference between a menstruating woman and a woman in postpartum bleeding during Umrah:

Many women confuse the rulings of menstruation and postpartum bleeding when performing Umrah. Although both conditions prohibit Tawaf, there are subtle jurisprudential differences that should be taken into account when performing the rituals.

Menstruating woman:

  • Duration of the legal excuse: usually between 5 and 10 days.
  • Possibility of purification during the journey: It is very likely that you will become pure.And completeUmrah
  • Jurists on representation: Some schools of thought have permitted representation for a menstruating woman if it is impossible to perform the circumambulation.

Postpartum woman:

  • Duration of the legal excuse: may reach 40 days or more
  • Possibility of purity during the journey: Less likely to be purified if she is a newborn
  • Jurists on representation: They also permitted representation for a woman in confinement if there was an excuse.

 

Ruling on using pills to delay menstruation for the purpose of performing Umrah

It is permissible for a woman to use methods to delay her menstrual cycle, such as pills, if the purpose is to perform Umrah or Hajj. This is based on a legal necessity to avoid corruption or harm to worship, provided that this does not result in significant health damage to her.

 

The rulings on ransom if a menstruating woman does not perform the entire ritual:

One of the most important questions that preoccupies women when combining menstruation and Umrah is: Is a menstruating woman required to pay a ransom if she does not complete the rituals? The answer varies depending on the situation.

  • If a menstruating woman enters ihram for Umrah and does not become pure until she leaves Mecca:

Do not circumambulate, nor complete the Umrah,and dissolveShe is no longer in a state of ihram and is not required to pay a ransom if she intended to perform Umrah but did not become pure. She may exit ihram by performing one of the rituals of Umrah (cutting her hair, for example) if she is unable to perform Tawaf. She may also return to Umrah later without sin or ransom.

  • If a menstruating woman performs Tawaf without knowing the ruling or her modesty prevents her from stopping:

Her circumambulation is not valid The majority of scholars She must repeat the Tawaf if she is still in Mecca. She does not have to pay expiation if she was unaware of the ruling. However, if she deliberately performed Tawaf despite being aware of the Islamic ruling, she must repent, and it is recommended that she pay expiation.

  • If you missed the Tawaf al-Ifadah (during Hajj) due to menstruation and were unable to stay:

It is not permissible to leave it except for an excuse. If she can returnIt is necessary for her to do soReturn to Tawaf later. If this is not possible, some scholars say that she must offer a blood sacrifice (slaughtering a sheep). However, the more correct opinion among many scholars is that she does not have to offer a blood sacrifice if her period prevents her and she is forced to leave.

  • If she cuts her hair and becomes pure before performing Tawaf due to menstruation:

Complete dissolution of ihram is not valid until after completing the tawaf. There is no expiation required if the pilgrim has an excuse. She may return and complete the tawaf when she is pure, if possible. However, if she leaves Makkah, it is recommended that she sacrifice an expiation as a precaution.

 

Real-life experiences of women who performed Umrah during menstruation:

There are some real-life experiences of women who performed Umrah during menstruation, which are:

  • Compensation experience after the course ends:

One woman described performing Umrah while menstruating and realizing she couldn't perform the Tawaf or the prayer. However, she completed the Umrah with sincere intention, and then performed the Tawaf and prayer after her period ended. She noted that her sincere intention and flexibility in performing the rituals reduced her anxiety.

  • Use of medical devicesto delayCourse:

Another patient used pills to delay her period for two days to coincide with her Umrah trip. She was able to perform the Tawaf and Sa'i without any problems, and emphasized the importance of consulting a doctor before using any medical treatment to avoid health complications.

  • Spiritual experience and patience:

A third experience focused on the spiritual aspect, as the woman said she performed Umrah while menstruating and learned patience and reliance on pure intentions for God, which made her feel reassured and satisfied with performing her rituals despite the circumstances.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to enter the Miqat and enter the state of Ihram?

Yes, it is permissible for a menstruating woman to enter the Miqat and enter the state of ihram for Umrah or Hajj. This is agreed upon by scholars.

 

Jurists’ sayings about the circumambulation of a menstruating woman and are there alternatives?

Jurists of the four schools of thought (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) unanimously agree that tawaf is invalid for a menstruating woman, because it is not permissible for someone who is in a state of actual or legal impurity, such as a menstruating woman, to enter the Sacred Mosque.

 

What should a woman do if she menstruates after performing Tawaf and before performing Sa’i?

She is permitted to perform the Sa'i while she is menstruating, and there is no harm in that, because purity is not a condition for the validity of the Sa'i, unlike the Tawaf.

 

Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to perform Tawaf if she uses a condom?

A menstruating woman is not permitted to circumambulate the Kaaba until she becomes pure, even if she uses a condom or tampon. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars, including the four schools of thought.

 

Is there a special supplication for a menstruating woman while performing Umrah?

There is no special supplication for a menstruating woman during the performance of Umrah. Rather, a menstruating woman is like any other woman performing Umrah.

 

Is Umrah accepted if Ihram is performed during menstruation?

Yes, Umrah is accepted if one enters into ihram during menstruation. Menstruation does not prevent one from intending ihram or from entering into the rituals correctly.

 

Is it necessary to repeat Umrah later if the Tawaf is missed?

No, it is not necessary to repeat the Umrah later if the Tawaf was missed due to menstruation. However, the woman must wait until she becomes pure and then complete her Umrah. The Umrah is not waived for her and it cannot be replaced with a new Umrah.

 

What is the ruling on a menstruating woman touching the Qur’an or supplication books during Umrah?

The ruling on a menstruating woman touching the Qur’an or supplication books during Umrah is a controversial issue among scholars.

 

Umrah is a great act of worship, and Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. The issue of menstruating women and Umrah may seem complex, but in reality, it is based on mercy and facilitation, and the rituals must be performed with insight and in accordance with Islamic guidelines. Prepare thoroughly and understand the rulings of Umrah before traveling, consult scholars or experts when necessary, and do not hesitate to postpone Umrah if that is safer for you.And let us asceticize.

 

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