Question: If a sister is unable to fast the last 10 days of Ramadan, what are somethings she is permissible to do since those last ten 10 are sacred?
Answer: Assalamu alaykum
Ramadan Mubarak.
AlhamduLlilah, it’s very inspiring to hear that sisters are
concerned about continuing acts of worship during their menstrual cycles.
Menstruation Is Not A Punishment
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said about
menstruation, “Verily this is a matter Allah has written upon the girls of
Prophet Adam (Allah bless him)…” [Bukhari]
Those who claim that menstruation is like a punishment
because one cannot perform acts of worship are severely mistaken. On the
contrary, there are many forms of worship that a woman can do while
menstruating aside from what is legally prohibited.
Allah says in the Quran, “He who obeyeth Allah and His
messenger, and feareth Allah, and keepeth duty (unto Him): such indeed are the
victorious.” [Nur: 52]
Allah Most High has commanded menstruating women and women
in a state of lochia (post-natal bleeding) to refrain from the ritual prayer
and ritual fasting. Thus, if a menstruating woman fulfills this command with
the intention to submit to Allah’s order, she is actually worshipping Allah the
entire time that she refrains from the ritual prayer and ritual fasting. As one
of my teachers in Damascus said, “Her praying while pure is worship (ibada) and
her refraining from prayer while menstruating is worship. All of it is worship”
Therefore, there’s nothing dreadful or awful about
menstruation or lochia (post-natal bleeding), rather it is a person’s attitude
towards it.
Suggested Acts of Worship During Menstruation in Ramadan
These suggestions are not specific to the last ten nights of
Ramadan but to the month in general. Furthermore, they also apply to women in a
state of lochia (post-natal bleeding).
1. Listen to the Quran
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a
guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of
right and wrong).” [Baqara: 185]
She should listen to the Quran as much as possible, while
simultaneously pondering about its deep meanings. She should cry when she hears
about the eternal punishment, hoping that Allah will save her from its blazing
flames. She should feel happiness and joy when hearing about the bounties of
Paradise and desire that Allah will make her of those that will be honored to
experience its bliss. If she cannot cry, then she should force herself to cry,
allowing her entire soul to express its complete pleasure of being from those
who follow the truth and are rightly guided.
In the Hanafi madhhab, it is prohibited to actually touch
the mushaf (bound Arabic Quran), including its insides, its page margins and
its cover (if it is attached to the mushaf). It is also prohibited to recite
the Quran, which means to move one’s lips while producing sound. [ibn Abidin,
Radd al-Muhtar] It is sinful to touch a translation or a tafsir of the Quran
while menstruating.
It is permissible to read the Arabic script or its
translation with her eyes, such as on a computer screen or other electronic
devices. [ibn Abidin, Manhal al-Waridin] She can also read the Quran in her
heart.
2. Make Much Remembrance (Dhikr) of Allah
“…and men who remember Allah much and women who remember -
Allah hath prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward.” [The Confederates:
35]
She should use every free moment to exalt the Lord of the
Worlds. There are many related dhikrs that a woman can recite. She should buy a
supplication (dua) book and recite its invocations as it will strengthen her
relationship with her Lord and draw her nearer to Him with each word uttered.
If the invocations include Quranic verses that contain the
meanings of supplication, praise, remembrance, or protection, it is permissible
to say these during a state of menstruation upon the condition that it is read
with this intention. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; Tahtawi, Hashiyyat
al-Tahtawi] Some examples are reading Surat al-Ikhlas, Surat al-Falaq, Surat
al-Nas, Surat al-Fatiha, and Ayat al-Kursi with the intention of supplication,
not reciting the Quran.
In the Hanafi madhhab, it is an overall recommendation that
a menstruating woman make ablution (wudu) for each prayer time, sit in her
usual place of worship, and make dhikr for the time it takes for her to
normally pray so that she does not lose her habit of worship while in this
state. [ibn Abidin, Manhal al-Waridin]
3. Send Blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give
him peace)
Allah says in the Quran, “Lo! Allah and His angels shower
blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him
with a worthy salutation.” [The Confederates: 56]
She seeks the tremendous benefit of sending blessings and
praise (salawat) upon the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) because
it is an act that increases her love for him (Allah bless him and give him
peace). She reflects upon his nature and expresses her gratitude to Allah for
sending mankind such a wonderful example of mercy and piety. She longs to meet
him and to drink from his pond (hawd) on the Day of Judgment. She intends to follow
him and emulate his character (Allah bless him and give him peace).
4. Give Generously In Charity
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The
best charity is that given in Ramadan.” [al-Tirmidhi]
She should reach into her pocket and give whatever she can
without hesitation. She longs to give to those in need, and she thanks Allah
for bestowing upon her the financial ability to help others. She refrains from
praising herself for the charity she offers but rather, she donates her wealth
out of pure submission to the Divine.
5. Be Kind to Others, Including Spouses & Family Members
The Companion Salman al-Farasi related that the Prophet
(Allah bless him and give him peace) said about Ramadan in a sermon given on
the last day of Sha’ban, “…It is a month of patience and the reward of patience
is Paradise…” [Sahih ibn Khuzayma; Sayuti, al-Jami’ al-Kabir; Bayhaqi, Shu`ab
al-Iman]
She uses this time to rebuild and mend any broken
relationships. She showers her loved ones with words and acts of gentleness,
compassion, consideration, patience, and love. She doesn’t use her menstruation
as an ‘excuse’ to wrong others and resort to bad temper. She forgives those
that have mistreated or offended her. She prays that Allah will forgive her if
she wronged others. She keeps the company of the righteous and those who will
increase her in piety.
6. Make Dua for the Ummah
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said about
Ramadan, “Verily, Allah frees people (from the Hellfire) in every day and every
night and for each Muslim among them is a supplication which will be answered.”
[Ahmad]
She supplicates for the entire ummah—praying for their
forgiveness, their well-being, and Allah’s mercy upon them. She can say a dua
related by the scholar al-Khurkhi:
Allahumma Aslih Ummat Muhammad. Allahumma Farrij ‘an Ummat
Muhammad. Allahumma Irham Ummat Muhammad
“O Allah, improve the community of Muhammad. O Allah,
relieve the community of Muhammad. O Allah, have mercy on the community of
Muhammad.”
[al-Asbahani, Riyada al-Abdan]
7. Make Much Repentance
The Companion Salman al-Farasi related that the Prophet
(Allah bless him and give him peace) said about Ramadan in a sermon given on
the last day of Sha’ban, “…It is a month (in which) the first of it is mercy,
and the middle of it is forgiveness, and the last of it is pardon from the
Fire…” [Sahih ibn Khuzayma; Sayuti, al-Jami’ al-Kabir; Bayhaqi, Shi’b al-Iman]
She asks Allah to pardon her, cover her sins, and save her
from the Hell-fire. She begs for forgiveness and realizes her absolute
neediness to His mercy. She wakes up in the middle of the night, even though
she is menstruating, and repents in a time when Allah promises to forgive.
8. Feed Fasting People
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said
in the aforementioned sermon, “…Whoever feeds a fasting person in (the month of
Ramadan), for him is the forgiveness of his sins and freeing his neck from the
Fire…” [Sahih ibn Khuzayma; Sayuti, al-Jami’ al-Kabir; Bayhaqi, Shi’b al-Iman]
She hosts her relatives, friends or community members for
iftar. She tries to accommodate her guests in the best manner possible but
avoids excessiveness. She realizes that feeding fasting people is an act of
worship and it is not an opportunity to seek compliments for her cooking and
hospitality.
9. Show Allah Goodness
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace)
said, “Ramadan has come to you. (It is) a month of blessing, in which Allah
covers you with blessing, for He sends down Mercy, decreases sins and answers
prayers. In it, Allah looks at your competition (in good deeds), and boasts
about you to His angels. So show Allah goodness from yourselves, for the
unfortunate one is he who is deprived in (this month) of the mercy of Allah.”
[Tabarani]
She utilizes her free time to help and assist others with
their needs. She is a means for them to achieve benefit in this great month.
She wakes her family up to perform worship in the night and encourages them to
do extra works of obedience. She sacrifices her own time to volunteer at her
Islamic community center or local charities. She helps babysit a mother’s child
so that the mother can attend tarawih.
She does whatever she can to aid the believers in completing the good
with excellence.
She avoids looking at and listening to what is unlawful.
Instead, she directs her eyes, ears, and spirit to that which is advantageous
for her Hereafter. She attends classes, webinars, and lectures given by
recognized scholars in an effort to surround herself with people of sound
religion. She seeks beneficial knowledge and aims to implement what she’s
learned in her own life. She actively pursues furthering her understanding of
Islam and affirms her faith every time the wisdom of this great religion
touches her heart.
10. Carry Out Any Righteous Deed
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that
Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “When the month of
Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are
closed and the devils are chained” [Bukhari, Muslim]
She realizes that now is the perfect time to carry out any
act of good. The devils are chained and there is nothing to hold her back from
committing herself to absolute slavehood to her Lord.
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