Righteous Actions while women are on Her Menses


Question:

A woman that is on her menses during these ten days (of Dhul Hijah) will she obtain the good of these days from being in the remembrance of Allah and reciting Qur’an and doing Tasbeeh (saying Subhanallah), Takbeer (saying AllahuAkbar), Tahmeed (saying Alhamdulilah) and Tahleel (Lailah Illah)? Are these accepted as righteous actions for her?

Answer:

Yes. Verily the Messenger of Allah ﷺ clarified the scope of different righteous acts done in these days that are the most beloved to Allah. Reciting Qur’an, the remembrance of Allah with saying Subhanallah, AllahuAkbar, Alhamdulilah and La ilah Illah are all righteous actions. Giving charity, good treatment to the parents and honoring the neighbors are all from righteous actions. A woman obeying her husband in that which there is no disobedience to Allah, is from righteous actions. Her listening to knowledge and classes whether they be in the masjid or recorded audios, all of this is considered righteous actions. Her preparing the food for her husband if he is fasting, all of these are considered righteous actions. So the point is if she intends (by way of these) righteous actions, a reward from Allah then Insha Allah they will be counted for her as such.

Likewise righteous actions don’t stop when a woman gets her menses. And for this reason the Prophet ﷺ ordered for the menstruating women to come out and attend the Eid salaat. Umm Atiyah (may Allah be pleased with her) said the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered the menstruating women to come out to witness the goodness and share in with the dua of the Muslims. And in another narration, “to say the Takbeer with them and join in on their dua hoping for the good of that day.” For verily the day of Eid is from the ten days of Dhul Hijah, and it is from the best of the days.

So in conclusion, the woman on her menses, which Allah decreed for her, is not prevented from performing good deeds. For example, during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) came to perform Umrah and Hajj with the people, later her menses came and stayed until it was time for Hajj. She became so depressed (the others would get the reward of Umrah and Hajj) she cried because she wasn’t able to perform Umrah with her Hajj. So the Messenger of Allah said, “This is something that Allah has decreed for all the daughters of Ādam, do all the rituals of Hajj except circling the Ka’aba.” And what do you do during Hajj? Recite Qur’an, remember Allah, give sadaqah, you worship Allah the Most-High. Similarly from the actions of Hajj is slaughtering. If she is able to slaughter then let her slaughter. For it is considered from the righteous actions. So based on what was mentioned, for the woman that has her menses, which Allah has decreed for her, she should not become sad. Yes she is prevented from praying and fasting but that’s all. She just can’t pray or fast however the remaining acts of worship are all available for her to engage in.

And Allah knows best.

Answered by: Shaikh Abu Abdillah Muhammad Ba Jamaal (May Allah preserve him)

Source: https://t.me/OfficialChannelShaykhBaajammaal/108

Translated by: Abu Yusuf Bilal ibn Howard Robinson