For the Sisters--Brothers Can Come Too, But Be Warned?

Question

I know that when you have your period, you can't pray. But is there nything else you can do religiously while you have your period? I mean, I feel like I'm being lazy when I don't pray. Are we still allowed to read the Qur'an? Or listen to it being recited? What religious things are we allowed to do while we are menstruating?

Answer 1

"They ask you about menstruation: Say, it is harmful; you shall avoid sexual intercourse with the women during menstruation; do not approach them until they are rid of it. Once they are rid of it, you may have intercourse with them in the manner designed by God. God loves those who are clean. Your women are the bearers of your seed. Thus, you may enjoy this privilege however you like, so long as you maintain righteousness. You shall observe God, and know that you will meet Him. Give good news to the believers." 2:222, 223

As we know, many Islamic Scholars tend to abuse the meaningful verses of the Quran to benefit their own agendas. One of the abused verses that I would like to write about is verses 2:222-223.

First, let us tackle the misunderstanding of the Islamic scholars regarding these verses. They have innovated religious laws prohibiting menstruating women from observing the Contact prayers, fasting, and even touching the Quran. However, a careful study of these verses shows that God is teaching us about personal hygiene, and there is no law dealing with the religious practices in these verses.

As we know, menstruation is a feminine issue. Ironically, it is the men who ask about menstruation and the revelation is directed towards the men. Now, what could possibly concern a man regarding a feminine issue, except for his own interest in sexual matters? God answers the men by initially letting them know that having sexual intercourse with a menstruating woman is harmful, and they should not approach them until they get rid of it. The phrase "get rid of it" is "tatahharn" in Arabic which is the same word used in 3:55 when God tells Jesus: "I am terminating your life, raising you to Me, and ridding you of the disbelievers."

However, if this verse were referring to women's religious practices during menstruation, God would have directed the verse to the women. As it turns out, neither in this verse, nor in any other verse God forbids menstruating women from practicing their religious duties; it only refers to personal hygiene, and the statement of "your women are the bearers of your seed", in the following verse proves this fact. A man and his wife are allowed to have intercourse in the manner designed by God, which is vaginal intercourse.

The only way a woman can be "the bearer" of a man's seed is through the v****a to the uterus. By mentioning this statement, God is prohibiting non-vaginal intercourse. Therefore, the statement of "however you like" cannot be misconstrued.

Now let us look at the point of view of the opponents of religion.  Their view on this matter is that God humiliates the women by such statements. On the contrary, God is preventing men from viewing women as sexual objects and from sexually abusing women by commanding the men to have sexual intercourse with them in the manner designed by God.

It is noteworthy that the statement "as long as righteousness is maintained" is there to protect the woman. Please note that this verse does not only deals with the physical aspect, but also moral aspect which does not allow a man to abuse a woman by forcing her to have s*x anytime without her consent. Also important is the fact that the statement of "maintaining righteousness" comes immediately after "however you like", to prevent physical and moral abuse.

God ordered the husband and wife to live in love mercy and tranquility 30:21. Therefore, when all activities in marriage are based on this statement, which is the source of righteousness between spouses, it's more likely to prevent any evil and vice in marriage.

We send down in the Quran healing and mercy for the believers. At the same time, it only increases the wickedness of the transgressors. 17:82

Nowhere in the Quran does it say that women cannot fast, pray, or worship in any other way during their menstruation. This is an innovation. We have to know that any rule telling us NOT to worship God under this or the other circumstance must be from Satan, not from God. The only thing prohibited during menstruation is sexual intercourse as given in 2:222. But the ignorant use this verse to base this false idea about women not being able to pray or fast during menstruation. They claim that it says that women are unclean during menstruation, and therefore cannot be allowed to pray.

[2:222] They ask you about menstruation: say, "It is harmful; you shall avoid sexual intercourse with the women during menstruation; do not approach them until they are rid of it. Once they are rid of it, you may have intercourse with them in the manner designed by GOD. GOD loves the repenters, and He loves those who are clean."

As we see this verse does not prohibit a women from observing the religious duties during menstruation, but only restricts sexual intercourse during such times. The only circumstances that makes us unclean in the eyes of God, when it comes to performing the prayers are mentioned in 5:6 and 4:43. In none of these verses does it say that menstruation is one of these circumstances. All we have to do to clean ourselves for Salat, is to perform the Wudu. However there is an incorrect understanding that menstruation nullifies ablution. But this again does not have any support in Quran. There are two verses in Quran that tells us what nullifies ablution; 4:43 and 5:6.

[4:43] O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat)  while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual o****m without bathing, unless you are on the road, traveling; if you are ill or traveling, or you had urinary or fecal-related excretion (such as gas), or contacted the women (sexually), and you cannot find water, you shall observe Tayammum (dry ablution) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.

[5:6] O you who believe, when you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), you shall: (1) wash your faces, (2) wash your arms to the elbows, (3) wipe your heads, and (4) wash your feet to the ankles. If you were unclean due to sexual o****m, you shall bathe. If you are ill, or traveling, or had any digestive excretion (urinary, fecal, or gas), or had (sexual) contact with the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe the dry  ablution (Tayammum) by touching clean dry soil, then rubbing your faces and hands. GOD does not wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative.

These verses that explain what nullifies ablution are applicable to both men and women. We learn from the above verses that the excretion should be both fecal related and a digestive excretion to nullify ablution.

Accordingly, menstruation does not nullify ablution. You ask yourself why can't you accept that women could observe her religious duties of praying or fasting, etc during menstruation. Is it God's laws that impose such prohibitions? Or is it a baseless prohibition instituted by religious scholars, erroneous religious laws inherited from our ancestors that has no Quranic back-up, etc. The answer you get will never have God's support. Women's menstruation is by God's design. Why should women be restricted from worshipping God during times which is exactly as designed by Him, for which she has no control?

Answer 2

yes actually you can read the Qura'n and listen to it being recited. you can do all that.

Answer 3

You can't touch the Quran or fast, but you can listen to the tapes of the Quran or to someone else who's reciting the verses.  You can also still du 'aa'.

Answer 4

I remember u were expecting..

No worries dear..

Insha Allah next time

....

Just pray that whenever the time comes,U r blessed with a baby with health and long life...

You can do al praying except touching quran..you can recite byheart..you can listen to audio..trust me,i am not telling it false.

Answer 5

To SunSweetie: DUDE. This is the RAMADAN section and therefore there will be MUSLIM users here. And if you aint a Muslim then you technically cant answer this question... JEEEZ.

People these days. <3

Edit: To X Saladin: Are you dumb? Even in her description she has mentioned the word "Qur'an".... AND THAT IS THE HOLY BOOK OF WHICH RELIGION? ! Think before you type.

Answer 6

You can pray. It's allowed.

To Rock Chick: DUDETTE. This is the Yahoo Answers and therefore there will be ALL KINDS of users here. And anyone can technically answer this question... JEEEZ.

People these days.

Answer 7

care to elaborate on the topic?

we are sort of confused?

like what religion is this?

and maybe if you do add details i will come back and edit my answer so it could answer your question...

good luck

Answer 8

salam sis , good Q ..

u can do a lot of things , u can listen to quran ( but not touch it) , u can say duaa , u can read (azkar) ..

i guess that's all what i know ..

always love & peace..

Answer 9

You can pray.

What you can't do is to pray the ritualistic prayers neither allowed into a mosque; a church; etc...but you still can pray for forgiveness; pray to ask something; etc...

You can read Quran from a screen only; or without touching the Book.

You can fast; give charity; and listen to Quran. You don't feel lazy because you don't pray; you feel lazy because of the period itself; that's Why God stated it is harmful for women.

Answer 10

Besides not praying, you can't touch the Qur'an or enter a Masjid.

Answer 11

not explained about the religion issue...

but everyone has the right 2 pray any god they like....

so keep going with wat u want...

have a nice day....

take care...

Answer 12

you can recite du'aahs but i dont think you can read the quran or touch it. something like that ^.~

Answer 13

Your religion is unbelievably amusing

Answer 14

wtf

Answer 15

I've never heard that. I'm on my menstrual cycle right now and I prayed. What's going to happen to me? *Begs for mercy!!!!!!!!*

Why are you not allowed to pray? I am, rather, curious.

Answer 16

I know what you mean, all i want to do is lay in my bed and watch movies.

Inshaallah next time you will get the results you are hoping for. i was on this website explaining the names of Allah and i came across this and i thought of you :). this will definately help you :

Al- Awwal

Recitation of this name, 1000 times for 40 Fridays will help in getting a child.

You can recite duas, and surahs- that is as much as i do.

Take care sister :)

Answer 17

NO, you cant touch the Qor'an

Answer 18

Sister you can listen to Qu'ran recitation  ( i like listening to Muhammad Al-Luhaidan ) ; you may also read the du`a’s (supplications) from the Qur’an and works of tafsir (Qur’an exegesis) that may contain verses of the Qur’an.

Woman in menstruation or post-natal bleeding should not touch the mushaf (a copy of the Qur'an); she can only read from her own memory.

You can do a lot of dikr ( remembrance of Allah ).

Participate in Islamic and altruistic/ philanthropy activities.

Study and read Islamic books .

If a woman has her monthly period or post-partum bleeding and thus cannot offer Salah (ritual Prayer) but wants to consult Allah Almighty regarding something, she can face the qiblah and beseech Allah Almighty with the supplication mentioned in the above hadith ( http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satel... ) , without having to offer the two rak`ahs of Prayer itself.