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Menstruation Rulings Related To Ramadan

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by MuslimaCoaching.com

Bismi Llahir Rahmanir Rahim

by Naielah Ackbarali

The general ruling is that a woman is not permitted to fast any type of fast while she is in a state of menstruation (hayd) or lochia (nifas).

The remainder of this article will discuss the following rulings:

  • the validity of a woman’s fast while she is menstruating
  • specific rulings related to Ramadan
  • what to do if menstruation starts during the day in Ramadan
  • what to do if menstruation starts during the night in Ramadan
  • what to do if menstruation stops during the day in Ramadan
  • what to do if menstruation stops during the night in Ramadan

The Validity Of Her Fasts

The fasting time starts from the entrance of Fajr and it ends at the entering of Maghrib. One of the conditions for a valid fast is that a woman must be free from the state of menstruation and lochia during this entire time period.

If a woman is in a state of menstruation or lochia for any part of the fasting time, the fast is not valid. Even if her menstruation began only a few minutes before Maghrib enters, the fast does not count. InshaAllah she will be rewarded for her intentions.

Menstruation & Ramadan

As for Ramadan fasts, she is required to make up any missed days due to menstruation or lochia after Ramadan is finished at a time when she is able. She should record the number of fasting days missed so that she does not forget how many fasts she owes.

A menstruating woman can eat and drink during the day in Ramadan, but she should do so discretely and not in public. If she believes that it is unlawful for her to eat or drink, then it is necessary (wājib) for her to do so because refraining from food or drink with the intention of fasting is sinful for her.

Menstruation Starts During The Fasting Time

If her menstruation starts in Ramadan during the fasting time – meaning any time from the entrance of Fajr to the entrance of Maghrib – then her fast is vitiated and it does not count.

She must stop fasting, and she is sinful if she intends to continue to fast for this day in Ramadan. She must make up this fast after Ramadan finishes.

Additionally, she must refrain from fasting for the duration that she is menstruating and make up all fasts that she missed after Ramadan ends at a time when she is able.

Menstruation Starts During The Night In Ramadan

If her menstruation starts in Ramadan during the night – meaning any time from the entrance of Maghrib to the entrance of Fajr – then she refrains from fasting the following day and for the duration that she is menstruating.

Menstruation Stops During The Day In Ramadan

If her menstruation stops in Ramadan during the day – meaning any time from the entrance of Fajr to the entrance of Maghrib – then she performs a purificatory bath (ghusl), starts praying, and acts like a fasting person until the Maghrib time enters due to the sacredness of the month of Ramadan.

It is necessary (wājib) for her to abstain from eating and drinking for the remainder of this day in Ramadan. However, this day of acting like a fasting person does not count as a fast.

She must make up this day after Ramadan has ended in a time when she is able. She is required to fast the following day and the remainder of Ramadan.

Menstruation Stops During The Night In Ramadan

If her menstruation stops in Ramadan during the night – meaning any time from the entrance of Maghrib to the entrance of Fajr – then she performs a purificatory bath (ghusl), begins praying, and she is required to fast the following day and the remainder of Ramadan.

The same rulings apply to a woman in a state of lochia (post-natal bleeding).

For more details, please read these related articles:

If you see menstrual blood after Maghrib, and you aren’t sure when it started, is your fast valid?

If a woman’s menstruation ends before Fajr in Ramadan, but she hasn’t taken a ghusl yet, can she make the intention to fast and take a ghusl after Fajr?

Worship In Ramadan For A Menstruating Woman

How does a woman perform ‘itikaf?

The ABC’s Of How To Fast

Are pregnant and nursing women required to fast Ramadan?

Tips From Pregnant & Nursing Women Who Fasted

Check out our courses for more details about the rulings of menstruation and the general rulings of worship.

Jazak Allah khayran

Naielah Ackbarali


References:

  • Imam ibn Abidin, Manhal al-Waridin
  • Imam Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah
  • Imam Tahtawi, Hashiyya al-Tahtawi

This answer was collected from Muslimacoaching.com, which was founded by Ustadha Naielah Ackbarali. She studied Islamic studies (Hanafi Fiqh) in Syria for about 6 years with various scholars, including Sheikh Hassan al-Hindy, Sheikh Adnan Darwish, Sheikh AbdurRahman Arjan, and Sheikh Abdullah Rahal. She also studied Hanafi Fiqh in Jordan with Sheikh Faraz Rabbani, and aqeedah with Sheikh Hamza Karamali.

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