Requirements for Ritual Purity after Menstruation
It is mandatory for a Muslim woman to perform a ritual bath (ghusl) after the completion of her menstrual cycle. This bath is only valid upon the complete cessation of blood, meaning that all menstrual blood must exit the woman’s womb. The obligation of this ritual washing is affirmed in the Holy Quran, as stated in the verse: (And they ask you about menstruation. Say, “It is harm, so keep away from women during menstruation and do not approach them until they have purified themselves. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has commanded you.”). This verse makes it clear that a man is not permitted to have intimate relations with his menstruating wife until two conditions are met: the cessation of menstrual blood, as indicated by the phrase “until they have purified themselves,” and the performance of the ritual bath afterward, as suggested by “when they have purified themselves.”
The obligation of performing a ritual bath after menstruation cessation is supported by the legal principle: (What does not complete an obligation except through it is itself an obligation). Additionally, teachings from the Sunnah establish the necessity of such a bath. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed a companion inquiring about menstruation: (Refrain from prayer for the number of days you used to menstruate, then wash yourself and pray). The command “wash yourself” indicates that performing this bath is obligatory, and the requirement of cleansing after menstruation is unanimously accepted by all Islamic scholars.
Actions Prohibited During Menstruation but Permitted After Purification
There are several actions that are prohibited for a menstruating woman but permissible once she has attained ritual purity. These are outlined as follows:
- Actions unanimously agreed upon as prohibited are as follows:
- Prayer: There is no disagreement among scholars that a menstruating woman does not perform prayers during her menstruation, nor is she required to make up the prayers missed at that time. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told Fatimah bint Abu Juhaysh: (When your menstrual blood is present, refrain from prayer).
- Fasting: Scholars are in agreement that a menstruating woman does not fast during her period, whether the fast is obligatory, such as during Ramadan, or a voluntary fast. However, she must make up the days missed after she becomes pure, even if she has not yet performed the ritual bath, in contrast to prayer, where the number of missed prayers would make it burdensome to make up.
- Tawaf: It is not allowed for a menstruating woman to perform tawaf around the Kaaba, whether for Hajj, Umrah, or voluntary acts. The Prophet (peace be upon him) allowed Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha to engage in all other Hajj rites except for tawaf when she was menstruating.
- Intimacy: Engaging in sexual relations during menstruation is widely considered forbidden. It is prohibited for both spouses to have any form of direct intimacy during this time. Abdullah bin Saad Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): What is allowed to me from my wife while she is menstruating? The Prophet replied: (What is above the waistcloth), which refers to clothing covering from the navel to the knee.
- Touching the Quran: Jurists have ruled that a menstruating woman is not permitted to touch the Quran, as per Allah’s command: (None shall touch it except those who are pure).
- Remaining in the Mosque: Scholars from the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools hold that a menstruating woman is prohibited from entering a mosque, citing the prohibition of a state of ritual impurity from approaching prayer. They equate the rulings on menstruating women to those in a state of major ritual impurity. However, Ibn Hazm of the Zahiri school allowed menstruating women to enter mosques, noting that the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted a black woman to clean and serve the mosque despite her menstruation.
If a menstruating woman must pass through a mosque without seating herself, she may do so, provided she is certain she will not cause any defilement. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told his wife Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): (Pass me the mat from the mosque); she mentioned that she was menstruating, to which he replied: (Your menstruation is not in your hand). The term ‘mat’ refers to the prayer rug. This narration implies that a menstruating woman may pass through a mosque for a legitimate need, ensuring she is free from any form of impurity. However, sitting or lingering in the mosque during menstruation remains prohibited.
- Disputed Actions Regarding Menstruation: The views of scholars regarding whether a menstruating woman can read the Quran differ. The majority of scholars from the Hanafi, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools argue that it is impermissible for a menstruating woman to read the Quran, citing the Prophet (peace be upon him): (A menstruating woman or a junub should not read any part of the Quran). In contrast, the Maliki school permits menstruating women to read the Quran.
Understanding Ritual Purity after Menstruation and its Signs
The essence of ritual purity refers to cleanliness and freedom from impurities. Ritual purity after menstruation denotes the lifting of the state of impurity from a menstruating woman, characterized as a major impurity requiring a ritual bath.
There are several signs indicating that a menstruating woman has achieved purity, which include:
- First sign: Cessation of menstrual blood. When the bleeding stops entirely, and the woman confirms that she is dry, this marks her purity according to the majority of scholars. This is because Allah described menstruation in a verse: (And they ask you about menstruation. Say, “It is harm… until they have purified themselves”). The phrase indicates that the cessation of this harm signifies the end of menstruation. Therefore, once the blood stops flowing, the woman is considered pure without needing to wait for another sign.
- Second sign: Noticing the white discharge. Some women experience a whitish fluid expelling after their period, known as the “white discharge.” This is something recognized by women, as evidenced by companions of the Prophet asking Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) about the signs of purity, to which she advised: (Do not hurry until you see the white discharge). Therefore, if a woman sees this fluid at the end of her menstrual cycle, she is considered pure. However, if it does not appear, her purity is determined solely by the cessation of blood and complete dryness, confirmed by placing a cotton piece in the menstrual area; if it emerges clean, this is indicative of purity.