Chapter on the Ihram of a Menstruating Woman and One Experiencing Istihadah

"Asma bint Umays gave birth to Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr at al-Bayda, four days before the end of Dhu al-Qa‘dah, during the Farewell Pilgrimage. The Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) instructed her to perform ghusl, use a cloth to prevent the bleeding, enter the state of ihram, and recite the Talbiyah along with him and his companions. When they reached Mecca, she did not become purified until after they departed from Mina. However, she attended all the rites: Arafat, Muzdalifah, and stoning the Jamarat. She did not perform tawaf around the Kaaba or sa'i between Safa and Marwa. After they departed from Mina, the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) instructed her to perform ghusl, after which she performed tawaf around the Kaaba and sa'i between Safa and Marwa. Her time in this state spanned from four days remaining in Dhu al-Qa‘dah, the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, and the three days of Tashreeq."

I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a woman performing tamattu‘ who entered Mecca and began menstruating. Imam (as) said: "She should perform sa‘i between Safa and Marwa, then leave with the people and complete her tawaf later when she becomes pure."

Hadith.2757 - Mu'awiyah ibn Ammar asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a woman who began her sa‘i between Safa and Marwa but started menstruating before completing it. Imam (as) said: "She should complete her sa‘i." He also asked about a woman who performed tawaf around the Kaaba and then menstruated before performing sa‘i. Imam (as) said: "She should perform sa‘i."

I asked him about a woman in the state of ihram who becomes pure (from menstruation). Can she wash her head with sidr (a cleansing plant like lote)? Imam (as) said: "Water alone suffices for her."

"Regarding a menstruating woman who arrives in Mecca on the Day of Tarwiyah (8th of Dhu al-Hijjah), she should proceed as she is to Arafat and perform Hajj. After completing the Hajj, she should remain in Mecca until she becomes pure, then go to Tan‘im, enter the state of ihram, and perform ‘Umrah."

I asked Abu Ibrahim (as) about a woman performing tamattu‘ who begins menstruating before she can perform tawaf of the Kaaba and then proceeds to Arafat. Imam (as) said: "Her Hajj becomes an ifrad (Hajj alone), and she is required to offer the sacrifice of her hady (sacrificial animal)."

I asked Imam Abu Ibrahim (as) about a man who was accompanied by a woman who entered Mecca while she was menstruating. She did not become pure until the Day of Tarwiyah (8th of Dhu al-Hijjah). She purified herself, performed tawaf around the Kaaba, but did not perform the sa‘i between Safa and Marwa before proceeding to Arafat. Should she count that tawaf or repeat it before performing sa‘i between Safa and Marwa? Imam (as) said: "She counts that first tawaf and builds upon it."

I asked him about a woman who performed tawaf around the Kaaba but began menstruating before praying the two rak‘ahs of tawaf. Imam (as) said: "When she becomes pure, she is only required to pray the two rak‘ahs, as she has already completed the tawaf."

"If a woman performs the Tawaf al-Nisa and completes more than half of it but then begins menstruating, she may depart if she wishes."

I asked Abu Ibrahim (as) about a young woman who had not previously menstruated, who went out with her husband and family. She began menstruating but was too shy to inform her family or husband. She completed the rituals in that state, her husband had intercourse with her, and they returned to Kufa. She then told her family what had happened. Imam (as) said: "She must offer a camel as expiation and repeat the Hajj in the following year, but there is no penalty upon her husband."

I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about women in the state of ihram. Imam (as) said: "They may prepare themselves in whatever manner they wish. When they reach the tree (Miqat), they enter ihram for Hajj and recite the Talbiyah at the marker at the beginning of al-Bayda. Then they are brought to Mecca, where they should hasten to perform tawaf and sa‘i. Once they complete their tawaf and sa‘i, they trim their hair and exit ihram, performing tamattu‘. On the Day of Tarwiyah (8th of Dhu al-Hijjah), they enter ihram for Hajj, thus combining ‘Umrah and Hajj. If they encounter any ailment, they remain upon their Hajj and do not separate their Hajj from their ‘Umrah."

"She should complete her tawaf, and nothing more is required of her. Her tamattu‘ is valid, and she may perform sa‘i between Safa and Marwa because she has completed more than half of the tawaf and thus fulfilled her tamattu‘. After Hajj, she does not need to repeat anything. However, if she had completed only three rounds of tawaf, she must repeat it after Hajj. If her caravan stays in Mecca after Hajj, she should go to al-Ji‘ranah or Tan‘im and perform another ‘Umrah."

I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a woman who performed three rounds of tawaf or less and then saw menstrual blood. Imam (as) said: "She should remember her position, and when she becomes pure, she should continue her tawaf from that point and count what she has already completed." Al-‘Ala also narrate from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from one of the Imams (as), a similar statement.