Two videos were shared with me yesterday of two lecturers who argued in their lectures that a menstruating woman can fast. I urge our women to be careful about the lecturers from whom they take lessons online and offline.
The consensus among all our revered scholars is that a menstruating woman should stay away from fasting till her bleeding stops and she takes a ritual bath.
There is no singular notable Sunni scholar who says that a menstruating woman can fast.
For purposes of clarity, we present below proof to substantiate the prohibition of fasting for a menstruating woman.
- Scholars unanimously agree that a menstruating woman should not fast. She will do restitution after Ramadan. This comes under what is known as ijmā’ (i.e., the consensus of the scholars). ijmā’ is one of the sources of law in Islam. You can never see any credible scholar of Islam who says that a menstruating woman can fast.
- That the Qur’ān does not forbid a menstruating woman from fasting should not be used as proof for permitting menstruating women to fast. We have clear Hadīths where Aishah confirmed that the Prophet (SAW) asked menstruating women to make up for the days they miss in Ramadan, but not to make up for the prayers that they miss during their menstrual period.
- The Qur’ān cannot give details on everything that we need to know in our religion. Hadīths (Prophet Muhammad’s sayings, actions, and approvals) are meant to complement the concise message in the Qur’ān. Things like the wearing of a wig, tattooing, using an attachment, etc, are not mentioned in the Qur’ān, but they are forbidden in the Hadith. If the Hadīth asks a menstruating woman not to fast, should we disobey the Prophet (SAW)?
- Those who say that a menstruating woman can fast should give us a single example of a woman who fasted while menstruating during the time of the Prophet (SAW).
- It is widely agreed by scholars that a menstruating woman cannot do circumambulation around the Ka’bah, and she cannot observe the Five Daily Prayers or fast.
- The Qur’ān clearly describes the menstrual period as a state of spiritual impurity. Men are asked to keep away from having sex with their wives when they are menstruating. See Qur’ān 2:222
“They ask you (Muhammad SAW) about menstruation. Say, It is harmful, so keep away from wives during menstruation. Do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allāh has ordained for you. Indeed, Allāh loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.”
I urge our women and Muslims in general to avoid listening to lectures that only seek to confuse people rather than enlighten or educate them.
Abdul-Ganiyy Raji
NASFAT National Da’wah Officer/National Mission Board Secretary
