Menstruation in Islam comes with specific rulings concerning prayer, fasting, Quran recitation, and marital relations. Islam does not treat menstruation as a punishment or something shameful. Rather, Islamic teachings provide women with specific concessions during their menstrual period.
A menstruating woman does not pray or fast during her period, but she can continue making dua, remembering Allah, and engaging in many other acts of worship.
The rulings below are based on the Quran, authentic hadith, and established Islamic scholarship.
Women can also continue making dua for pain and asking Allah for relief when menstruation causes physical discomfort.
What Is Menstruation in Islam?
Menstruation, or hayd, is the natural monthly bleeding experienced by women.
Islam recognizes menstruation as a natural condition and provides specific rulings for women during this time.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explained that menstruation is something Allah has decreed for the daughters of Adam.
When Aisha (RA) began menstruating during Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ told her:
“This is something which Allah has decreed for the daughters of Adam.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 294
This shows that menstruation is a natural condition and not something for which a woman should feel ashamed.
Can Women Pray During Their Periods?
No. A menstruating woman does not perform Salah during her menstrual period.
This includes both obligatory and voluntary prayers.
However, she does not make up the prayers missed during menstruation after becoming pure.
Aisha (RA) was asked about making up the prayer and fasting after menstruation. She explained:
“We were ordered to make up the fasts and were not ordered to make up the prayers.”
Sahih Muslim 335
Therefore:
- A woman does not pray during menstruation.
- She does not need to make up those missed prayers.
- She resumes Salah after her menstruation ends and she performs ghusl.
This is a concession given by Islamic law and should not be understood as a punishment or a sign that menstruating women are spiritually inferior.
Can Women Fast During Their Periods?
No. A menstruating woman does not fast during Ramadan.
If menstruation begins while a woman is fasting, that day’s fast is no longer valid and must be made up later if it was an obligatory fast.
Unlike Salah, missed obligatory fasts must be made up after menstruation ends.
Aisha (RA) said:
“That used to happen to us, and we were commanded to make up the fasts, but we were not commanded to make up the prayers.”
Sahih Muslim 335
What Happens If the Period Ends During Ramadan?
Once menstruation ends, the woman performs ghusl and resumes fasting and Salah according to the relevant rulings.
Missed Ramadan fasts are made up later.
There is no need to make up the prayers missed during menstruation.
Can Women Recite the Quran During Menstruation?
This question has a difference of scholarly opinion.
There is no need to present the matter as though all Islamic scholars have one unanimous ruling.
Some scholars prohibit a menstruating woman from reciting Quran from memory, while other scholars permit it, particularly when there is a need such as teaching, learning, revision, or fear of forgetting.
Therefore, if you follow a particular madhhab or scholar, follow their ruling.
What About Reading the Quran From a Phone?
Reading Quran from a digital device is treated differently by some scholars from physically touching a Mushaf.
Because the detailed fiqh rulings differ, Muslims should follow the position of a qualified scholar or the school of Islamic jurisprudence they follow.
What should be avoided is presenting one disputed position as an undisputed Islamic ruling.
Can a Menstruating Woman Touch the Quran?
The ruling concerning physically touching the Mushaf is also a matter of established fiqh discussion.
The majority of classical scholars generally prohibit a person in a state of major ritual impurity from directly touching the Mushaf, while there are differences regarding certain circumstances and details.
For this reason, it is safer to say:
A menstruating woman should follow the ruling of a trusted qualified scholar regarding physically touching the Mushaf.
Reading Quran from a phone or another digital device is a separate issue and has different scholarly considerations.
Can Women Make Dua During Their Periods?
Yes.
A menstruating woman can make dua to Allah.
She can ask Allah for:
- Forgiveness
- Guidance
- Protection
- Healing
- Mercy
- Provision
- Family wellbeing
- Success in this life and the Hereafter
There is no general prohibition on making dua during menstruation.
She can also engage in permissible forms of dhikr and remembrance of Allah.
You can also explore our collection of Islamic duas for different situations.
Can Women Do Dhikr During Their Periods?
Yes.
A menstruating woman can remember Allah and engage in dhikr.
She can say:
- SubhanAllah
- Alhamdulillah
- Allahu Akbar
- La ilaha illallah
- Astaghfirullah
She can also send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ and make personal dua.
Menstruation does not mean that a woman must stop all forms of worship.
Can a Husband Touch His Wife During Her Period?
Yes.
Menstruation does not mean that a husband must completely avoid his wife.
The Prophet ﷺ demonstrated that a menstruating woman can remain close to her husband.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do everything except intercourse.”
Sahih Muslim 302
Therefore, ordinary affection and companionship are not prohibited simply because the wife is menstruating.
Can a Husband Kiss His Wife During Her Period?
Yes, kissing and ordinary affection are not generally prohibited during menstruation.
The prohibition concerns sexual intercourse during menstruation, not every form of physical affection.
The Quran says:
“They ask you about menstruation. Say, ‘It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure.’”
Quran 2:222
The Prophet ﷺ clarified the meaning through his Sunnah.
Therefore, a husband and wife can maintain affection and companionship during this time while observing the limits established by Islam.
Is Sexual Intercourse Allowed During Menstruation?
No. Vaginal sexual intercourse during menstruation is prohibited in Islam.
Allah says:
“And do not approach them until they are pure.”
Quran 2:222
The prohibition applies to intercourse during menstruation.
However, Islam does not command a husband to isolate or completely avoid his wife during her period.
What Should a Husband Do When His Wife Is on Her Period?
A husband should treat his wife with kindness, respect and consideration.
He can:
- Spend time with her.
- Talk to her normally.
- Show affection within Islamic boundaries.
- Help with household responsibilities.
- Support her if she is experiencing discomfort.
- Avoid making her feel ashamed about menstruation.
- Be patient and understanding.
Menstruation is a natural condition, not something that makes a woman impure as a person.
The restrictions concern specific acts of worship and marital intercourse—not the woman’s dignity or worth.
Does Menstruation Make a Woman Impure?
Menstruation creates a state of ritual impurity (hadath) that has specific legal consequences, such as not performing Salah and not fasting.
This does not mean that the woman herself is dirty, sinful, or morally impure.
Aisha (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ would eat and drink with her while she was menstruating and would also show ordinary affection.
Sahih Muslim 300
This is an important distinction between ritual rulings and personal cleanliness or dignity.
When Can a Woman Resume Prayer After Her Period?
A woman resumes prayer when her menstruation has ended and she has performed ghusl.
The signs of the end of menstruation can vary between women. Once a woman is certain that her period has ended according to the signs recognized in Islamic jurisprudence, she performs ghusl and resumes Salah.
Because details concerning signs of purity and irregular bleeding can vary, women with uncertainty should consult a qualified scholar.
Does a Woman Need to Make Up Missed Prayers?
No.
Missed prayers during menstruation do not have to be made up.
This is based on the authentic statement of Aisha (RA):
“We were ordered to make up the fasts and were not ordered to make up the prayers.”
Sahih Muslim 335
This is an important difference between missed Ramadan fasts and prayers missed during menstruation.
Does a Woman Need to Make Up Missed Ramadan Fasts?
Yes.
If a woman misses obligatory Ramadan fasts because of menstruation, she makes them up after Ramadan and after she becomes able to fast.
The hadith of Aisha (RA) establishes that women were instructed to make up the missed fasts but not the missed prayers.
Sahih Muslim 335
Can a Menstruating Woman Go to the Mosque?
This is a matter with detailed scholarly discussion, and rulings can differ depending on the circumstances and school of jurisprudence.
Therefore, rather than giving a simplistic universal answer, a woman should follow the guidance of a qualified scholar whom she trusts, particularly when it concerns attending or remaining inside a mosque.
Can Women Read Islamic Books During Their Periods?
Yes, menstruation does not prevent a woman from learning about Islam.
She can study:
- Islamic history
- Hadith
- Fiqh
- Tafsir
- Seerah
- Islamic lectures
- Educational material
Specific rulings can differ if a book contains a full Mushaf or substantial Quranic text, so the relevant fiqh guidance should be followed.
Menstruation in Islam: What Women Can and Cannot Do
| Activity | During Menstruation |
|---|---|
| Obligatory Salah | Not performed |
| Voluntary Salah | Not performed |
| Make up missed Salah | Not required |
| Ramadan fasting | Not performed |
| Make up missed Ramadan fasts | Required |
| Dua | Permitted |
| Dhikr | Permitted |
| Learning Islam | Permitted |
| Physical affection with husband | Permitted within Islamic boundaries |
| Sexual intercourse | Prohibited |
| Ghusl after menstruation ends | Required before resuming Salah |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can women pray during periods in Islam?
No. A menstruating woman does not perform Salah, and she does not have to make up the prayers missed during menstruation.
Can women fast during periods in Islam?
No. A menstruating woman does not fast Ramadan. Missed obligatory fasts are made up later.
Can women read Quran during menstruation?
There is a difference of scholarly opinion regarding Quran recitation during menstruation. Some scholars prohibit recitation from memory, while others permit it under certain circumstances. Follow a trusted qualified scholar or your madhhab’s position.
Can women touch the Quran during menstruation?
The majority of classical scholars generally prohibit directly touching the Mushaf while in a state of major ritual impurity, although there are differences concerning details and circumstances. A qualified scholar can provide guidance according to the school of jurisprudence being followed.
Can a husband kiss his wife during her period?
Yes. Menstruation does not prohibit ordinary affection such as kissing and touching. Sexual intercourse during menstruation is prohibited.
Can a husband sleep next to his wife during her period?
Yes. A husband can sleep next to his menstruating wife. Islam does not require spouses to separate during menstruation.
Can a woman make dua during her period?
Yes. A menstruating woman can make dua and ask Allah for forgiveness, guidance, healing, protection and other good things.
Does a woman have to make up Salah after her period?
No. Missed prayers during menstruation do not have to be made up.
Does a woman have to make up Ramadan fasts after her period?
Yes. Missed obligatory Ramadan fasts are made up later.
Final Thoughts
Menstruation in Islam comes with specific rulings, but it does not make a woman shameful, sinful or less worthy.
During menstruation, a woman does not perform Salah or fast Ramadan, and missed prayers do not have to be made up. Missed obligatory fasts, however, are made up later.
Women can continue making dua, dhikr, learning Islam and engaging in many other forms of worship.
Regarding Quran recitation and touching the Mushaf, there are differences among Islamic scholars, so these issues should be approached with knowledge rather than presenting a disputed ruling as unanimous.
Marriage also does not stop during menstruation. Husbands can show affection and kindness, while sexual intercourse during menstruation remains prohibited.
Islam’s guidance provides both religious obligations and ease, while preserving the dignity, wellbeing and rights of women.
May Allah grant Muslim women knowledge, ease, good health and steadfastness upon His guidance. Ameen.
Sources and References
- Quran 2:222 — Menstruation
- Sahih Muslim 335 — Fasting and prayer during menstruation
- Sahih Muslim 302 — Marital relations during menstruation
- Sahih Muslim 300 — Prophet’s conduct with Aisha during menstruation
- Sahih al-Bukhari 294 — Menstruation during Hajj