WOMEN MESSES & HAJJ

The importance of Hajj on women can be understood in the narration of Aisha, the beloved wife of the prophet. Aisha reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, shall we not fight in jihad alongside you?” The Prophet, peace and blessings are upon him, said, “No, rather the best and most beautiful jihad for you is the Hajj, an accepted pilgrimage.” Aisha said, “I have never missed the Hajj pilgrimage ever since I heard this from the Messenger of Allah.” Sahih Bukhari 1448. In another narration, the Prophet said, “Yes, you must perform a jihad in which there is no fighting: the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.” Sunan Ibn Mahaj 2901, Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Ibn Kathir: Sunan Ibn Mahaj 2901.

An accepted hajj entails a hajj done in line with the Sunah of the Prophet and the instructions as contained in the glorious Qur’an. First of such Sunnah is entering the state of ihram, perform the Umrah,( Taw-af and Sa’y) camp on Arafah, throw stones and others. Interestingly, some women shall be staying in the holy lands for a period, which will warrant them to attend to their natural courses (the menses)). And by now some might be apprehensive of what will happen if the period comes during the rites. That is what this article seeks to do to explain what the sunnah says. Our religion is very simple and explains both in the hadith and the Qur’an what to do in such a situation you are on Hajj. this narration, by Al-Qasim, ‘Aisha said, “We set out with the sole intention of performing Hajj and when we reached Sarif, (a place six miles from Mecca) I got my menses. Allah’s Apostle came to me while I was weeping. He said ‘What is the matter with you? Have you got your menses?’ I replied, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is a thing which Allah has ordained for the daughters of Adam. So do what all the pilgrims do except for the Taw-af (Circumambulation) round the Ka’ba.”

In another hadith, it explains that, If a woman intends to do ‘umrah, or Hajj it is not permissible for her to pass the meeqaat without entering ihraam, even if she is menstruating. So she should enter ihraam even if she is menstruating and her ihraam is valid. They should shower and do Talbiyah like everyone else. Volume 001 :: Book 006 (Menstrual Periods) :: Hadith 305. ‘Aisha further said, “I got my periods (menses) and kept on menstruating till the day of ‘Arafat, and I had assumed the Ihram for ‘Umra only (Tamattu’).

It is only haraam for a menstruating woman to circumambulate the Kaaba, whether that is obligatory or naafil, and it is not valid if she does it. But as for the other actions of Hajj, such as saa’ee between al-Safa and al-Marwah, standing at ‘Arafah, staying overnight in Muzdalifah and Mina, stoning the jamaraat and other rituals of Hajj and ‘Umrah, they are not haraam for her. Only that Tawaaf al-wadaa’ (the farewell tawaaf) is waived in her case. ” the tawaaf that is required for Hajj and ‘Umrah is not waived and she must do it when she becomes pure. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) told the people that the last thing they should do was (tawaaf) around the house, but he made an exception for menstruating women.

So, if the period comes, your only worry is how to keep yourself clean every time until you are dry. In other words, your hajj can still be accepted regardless of the natural course of blood flows. A woman asked Allah’s Apostle, “O Allah’s Apostle! What should we do, if the blood of menses falls on our clothes?” Allah’s Apostle replied, “If the blood of menses falls on the garment of any one of you, she must take hold of the blood spot, rub it, and wash it with water and then pray in (with it).”The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The best Jihad for you women is Hajj Mabrur- one accepted by Allah.” May Allah accept the Hajj and grant you good health to undertake the rites in line with the dictates of Islam. Allaah Knows best.