Menstruation is a natural cycle in a woman’s life, and Islam addresses it with both compassion and clarity. One common question many ask is: Why can’t a Muslim woman pray on their period? This question, often phrased as why can’t a woman pray on her period, is important for understanding Islamic teachings on purity and worship.
We’ll explore the religious reasoning behind this exemption and how women can maintain a strong connection with their faith during this time, even when the answer to Why can’t a Muslim woman pray on their period prevents formal prayer.
Understanding the Role of Women in Islam
Islam grants women a high and honorable status. As mothers, they are a source of mercy and paradise lies at their feet. Islam commands kindness, respect, and obedience to them, making their satisfaction a path to Allah’s pleasure. As wives, women are to be treated with love and fairness; husbands are urged to care for them, protect their rights, and never take their wealth without consent. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The best of you are those who are best to their wives.”
As daughters, Islam encourages raising and educating them with compassion. The Prophet ﷺ promised great reward to those who care for their daughters, saying they will be a shield from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection. Thus, Islam honors women in every stage of life — as mothers, wives, and daughters.
The Elevated Role of Women in Islam
Islam has raised the status of women and made them equal to men in most rulings. This high status provides the compassionate framework for understanding the answer to Why can’t a Muslim woman pray on their period. She is commanded, like men, to believe and obey, and is equal to him in the reward of the Hereafter.
- She has the right to express herself, to advise, to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and to call to God.
- She has the right to own property, to buy and sell, to inherit, to give charity, and to donate. No one may take her money without her consent.
- She has the right to a dignified life, not to be assaulted or wronged. She has the right to education, and she must learn what she needs in her religion.
Why Can’t A Muslim Woman Pray On Their Period?
Muslim women don’t pray during their period due to it being considered a state of ritual impurity in Islam. Many people ask why can’t muslim women pray on their period, and the answer is rooted in divine command.
This exemption is viewed as a mercy, and they can engage in other forms of worship instead. The core reason behind Why Can’t A Muslim Woman Pray On Their Period is related to ritual purity (taharah).
Impure while menstruating
Women aren’t allowed to pray or touch the holy Quran during menstruation.
At this time, women aren’t considered purified due to the bleeding, so they must wait until menstruation finishes to be able to pray or touch the holy Quran. The consensus on why are women not allowed to pray during periods in islam is based on hadith and scholarly interpretation.
But going to mosques to attend educational classes is a debatable issue and there are two opinions on it.
According to Ibn Hazm, al muzaini from Shafi & Dawoud, they get their opinion from the evidence that was mentioned in Ibn Hazm’s book called Al-Muhallā bi’l Athār that mother of believers (Aisha) says that black women slave came to prophet muhammed and embraced her Islam.
She was living in a room at the mosque and prophet don’t prevent or prohibited it from live in the mosque even though she is female and normally will be menstruating.
The other scholar’s opinion is that women during this period were considered impure, and the mosques were seen as holy places, so she couldn’t enter the mosques out of respect for their sanctity. This is a key reason why women can’t pray during period.
Some scholars argue that women aren’t allowed to pray or touch the holy Quran, and therefore, they can’t enter mosques during this time because mosques are places where Muslims pray and attend Islamic classes to learn more about the religion.
Read also about: how to pray in islam for beginners female
How to Purify After a Period?
After knowing why can’t you pray on your period islam, it is time to know how to Purify After a Period.
Women must perform “ghusl” after the menstruation finishes, now the steps of ghusl will be discussed
- Intend to purify from menstruation.
- Say bismillah.
- Wash your hands three times.
- Wash the private parts using your left hand.
- Perform wudu.
- Wash your head three times and make water reach the hair’s roots.
- Wash your body but begin with the right part and then the left part and make sure that water reaches every part of your body.
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What if I Accidentally Pray on My Period?
“I accidentally prayed on my period islam, what can I do?”
It’s prohibited to pray during menstruation, so Muslim women must take care of this point and try to avoid praying at this time because they have permission from God not to pray during the period.
Also, they shouldn’t touch the holy Quran during the period. All they can do is make dua at this time because making dua during menstruation is allowed.
So women must avoid praying, make more dua, and also to know that there is no sin in not praying during the period, now you know why are women not allowed to pray during periods.
Read also about : Where can a muslim pray?
Do you have to hide your period in Islam?
Menstruation isn’t shameful or makes women dirty. It is a normal thing that happens to all women. The question of can women pray during periods in islam is answered with a “no,” but this is a ruling of mercy, not shame. Any woman will have their period every month so there isn’t shame, some men misunderstand the ayat that says:
” And they ask you about menstruation. Say, “It is harmful, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.”
This ayat means that there is no sexual intercourse during the period but Muslims must treat women in a good way at this time and not neglect them, Muslims must be polite and spend more time with her to make her feel satisfied and good.
What If a Woman Passes Away During Her Period in Islam?
If a woman dies during menstruation, it doesn’t mean that she had weak religious commitment or a bad end. The ruling on Why Can’t A Muslim Woman Pray On Their Period relates to a temporary state in life and has no bearing on one’s final status with Allah.
It’s a normal occurrence that happens to all women so it’s not a sign of anything negative.
People must understand that some mistakenly believe that if a man or woman dies during janabat or menstruation, it signifies they were a bad person and had a bad end to their life.
For Women who die during the period she has given a ghusl (washing the deceased) one time is sufficient.
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Is it haram to pray while you’re on your period when you are forced to?