Half of the Muslim pilgrims are women. That’s why there is also a natural problem with them. It’s because women have menstrual cycles, which takes 3 to 5 days. During which, a woman is considered impure. When the menstrual cycle ends, Muslim women have to take a cleaning bath. After that, she can enter a mosque or perform Salah.

Similarly, on Hajj and Umrah, women face this difficulty. That’s why it is a big question of whether a woman can perform Umrah on the menstrual cycle.

 In this post, we will shed light on this issue and show the way to deal with menstrual cycles. And we will describe fatwas and hadiths regarding this issue. So, you must keep reading further. It will be an educating post. Travel agents also need to tell this when women book Umrah Packages All-inclusive.

Can a woman enter in Meeqat in a state of menstruation?

Meeqat is the boundary where Haram starts. Every pilgrim has to be in Ihram before entering Meeqat. It is a popular question of whether a woman can enter Meeqat in the menstrual cycle. The answer to that question is straightforward. Yes, a woman can enter Meeqat on her menstrual cycle. No verse of the Quran or Hadith bans women from entering Meeqat on their menstrual cycle. Moreover, all schools of thought in Islam allow women to be in Mecca on their menstrual cycle during Hajj or Umrah.

Can a woman enter in Ihram in a state of menstruation?

Yes, a woman on Hajj or Umrah needs to enter in Meeqat. And every pilgrim needs to be in Ihram while entering Meeqat. That’s why a woman can enter in Ihram while in a state of menstruation. Famous scholars allow all women in Ihram during menstruation. Moreover, no verse of the Quran or Hadith bans them from doing so. Furthermore, all schools of thought in Islam has a joint opinion on that, which allows all women to enter in Ihram during menstruation. Literature provided along with Umrah packages and Hajj packages from any Trusted Hajj Umrah Travel Agency in Uk, always mentions this relaxation.

Can a woman perform Tawaf during menstruation?

No, a woman cannot perform Tawaf in the menstruation cycle. Tawaf requires to be in pure condition. A woman will get pure only after performing Gusal, which will be at the end of menstruation. All scholars have a joint opinion on this matter. Not a single one allows women to perform Tawaf in a state of menstruation. There is no differing opinion in Islamic schools of thought. So, a woman needs to wait for her period to be over. After that, she must perform a purification bath. Then, she can perform Tawaf.

Can a woman enter in Baitullah during a state of menstruation?

No, a woman cannot enter in Baitullah during a state of menstruation. Islam bans all women entering a mosque while menstruating because the woman is in an impure condition. And a mosque is a pure place. That’s why a woman needs to abide by the rules and wait for menstruation to be over. After that, she must perform a purification bath and enters Baitullah.

Literature for Umrah packages and Hajj packages must mention this condition. So, those women who do not know should abide by the rules made by Allah.

Can a woman perform Salah in menstruation?

No, a woman cannot perform Salah in a state of menstruation. The conditions of Salah are clear. Every Muslim need to be in a pure and clean condition for performing Salah. But a woman becomes impure while menstruating. So, she must refrain herself from Salah while menstruating. When her period is over, then she must take a purification bath and perform all Salah that she has to perform.

All scholars have the same opinion on this matter. Not a single one has a differing opinion. The scholars assigned during Umrah packages and Hajj packages also tell this rule openly.

Can a woman perform other rituals of Umrah or Hajj on menstruation?

Yes, she can perform other rituals of Umrah and Hajj while menstruating. She can walk on Sai. And she can cut her hair. Moreover, she can perform Rami, which is the stoning of the devil. All schools of thought in Islam allow women to perform all other rituals of Hajj and Umrah while menstruating. When the menstruation cycle is over, then a woman can perform Tawaf and offer Salah at the Maqam-e-Ibrahim.

We think that travel agents must provide a literature guide along with Umrah packages and Hajj packages. So, all pilgrims that are women can perform rituals according to the rules.

Famous Hadiths describing Umrah, Hajj and menstruation

‘Abdullah Ibn 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab (may God be pleased with them both) said, "A menstruating woman on hajj or ‘Umrah may enter ihram if she wishes, but is not to make Tawaf or sa'y. She is to perform all the rites with the rest of the pilgrims except for Tawaf and sa'y and she is required to refrain from entering the Mosque until she is pure."1

lady 'A`isha (may God be pleased with her) narrated, "We went out with the Prophet for the Farewell Pilgrimage. Some of us had assumed ihram for 'Umrah and others for hajj. When we reached Mecca, the Messenger of God said, ‘Whoever has entered ihram for 'Umrah and does not have a hady (animal driven to the scared land for expiation or to gain the pleasure of God), is to release himself from ihram; whoever has entered ihram for 'Umrah and has a hady with him must not release himself from ihram until he slaughters his hady; and whoever has assumed ihram for hajj, must complete his hajj." She added, “I was in a state of menstruation and remained in this state until the day of 'Arafat.

I had only assumed ihram for 'Umrah so the Prophet ordered me to undo my hair and comb it and enter ihram for hajj, omitting my 'Umrah. I followed his orders and after we had performed hajj, the Prophet sent Abdul-Rahman Ibn Abu Bakr with me to al-Tan'eem to start my 'umrah."2

In another narration, 'A`isha said, "I was still menstruating when I reached Mecca. I did not make Tawaf or sa'y. When I informed the Messenger of God of this, he said, “Do what other pilgrims do except for Tawaf and sa'y until you become pure."3

'A`isha (may God be pleased with her) said, "Asma` bint 'Umays was in a state of postnatal bleeding after giving birth to Mohammed ibn Abu Bakr. The Messenger of God ordered Abu Bakr to command her to take a purificatory bath and enter ihram."4

- Ibn 'Umar (may God be pleased with them both) narrated, "Whoever performs hajj must perform Tawaf al-Wada' (farewell circumambulation) as the last rite except for menstruating women because the Messenger permitted them not to perform it."5

1 Recorded by Malik (760).

2 Recorded by Bukhari (320) and Muslim (2969).

3 Recorded by Bukhari (1676) and Muslim (2977).

4 Recorded by Muslim (2966).

5 Recorded by Al-Tirmidhi (958), who declared it fair and authentic.

How to deal with menstruation on Umrah and Hajj?

For women, some pills stop menstruation. This way, a woman can use these contraceptive pills to stop their period. There is no side effect of these pills on rare use. Many woman pilgrims use this trick to perform Umrah and Hajj. These pills stop the cycle of menstruation for a week. During which Umrah can be performed. A woman must buy these pills right after flight tickets confirmation.

Conclusion

Menstruation is a natural phenomenon for women. It can happen during Hajj or Umrah. So, women should not enter Baitullah for Tawaf. However, they can perform other Umrah rituals. Have a good day.