Fiqh of Menstruation While Fasting

By Shaykhah Bint Dawood

Menses

• Maximum days of menses: 10 days and 10 nights
• Minimum days of menses: 3 days and 3 nights
• Maximum days of purity between two periods: unlimited
• Minimum days of purity between two periods: 15 days
• If a lady’s period finishes before the beginning time of Fajr she must observe the fast of that day despite not bathing (ghusl)
• She can bathe after suhoor (similar to the state of janäba) and must not swallow any water whilst rinsing her mouth and not have the water reach her throat via her nose
• Slight spotting of blood within the 10 days of the regular cycle will be considered menses. This will result in having to make up for that day’s fast
• A lady must bathe if her period finishes during the day i.e. after Fajr but before Maghrib
• She must refrain from eating or drinking throughout that day out of respect and make up for that day’s fast
• Avoid taking the pill!

Women Making Up for Fasts and the Matter of Fidya

• Physical qadhä of the fasts are necessary
• Fidya is only for those who have a incurable chronic illness that prevent them from fasting
• A person with a temporary illness must make up for the fasts missed upon getting better

Breastfeeding

• Fasting is not compulsory but preferable if one is able
• Qadhä will be necessary for a missed fast
• Matter of personal choice

Pregnancy

• If you have the strength and energy to fast try to fast
• Doctors say there is no harm, it’s your personal choice