Can a Menstruating Woman Take a Shower (Ghusl)? Read This!
Can a Menstruating Woman Take a Shower (Ghusl)? ~ Hi all readers! In this article, I will explain one of the Islamic laws regarding menstruation. In particular, the explanation in this article relates to Muslim woman. One of the Islamic laws regarding menstruation that I mean is "Can a menstruating woman take a shower (ghusl)?". So, if you are a Muslim woman, or you are a Muslim man who wants to know more about menstruation according to Islam, then you must read this article to the end.
Specifically, there are four important points about “Can a menstruating woman take a shower (ghusl)?” which I will explain in this article. The four important things I mean are as follows:
Basic Explanation of a Menstruating Woman
The first important thing about “Can a menstruating woman take a shower (ghusl)?” what I will explain here is a basic explanation of a menstruating woman. I want you to understand that so you can understand the focus of the discussion in this article.
In general, menstruation is a normal condition for woman. But in Islamic legal literacy, menstruation is one of the reasons a Muslim woman has a big hadas. That's why if a Muslim woman has a big hadas, then she should not do some things that are obligatory and recommended in Islam.
Therefore, before I explain the answer to the question "Can a menstruating woman take a shower (ghusl)?", firstly, I will explain the prohibitions and things that are permissible for a menstruating woman in the following discussions. The goal is for you to have a complete understanding of it.
Prohibitions for a Menstruating Woman
The second important thing about “Can a menstruating woman take a shower (ghusl)?” What I will explain here are the prohibitions for a menstruating woman. In general, if we read Islamic legal literacy regarding menstruation, we will find an explanation of the prohibitions for menstruating woman as follows:
Wudu and Janaba bath
According to the opinion of Shafiiyah and Hanabilah, menstruating woman are not allowed to perform ablution and bathe in Janabah. The reason is that the purpose of wudu and bathing in Janabah is to purify the body from minor hadas and major hadas. A menstruating woman who performs ablution and bathes in Janabah will not be able to do that because she will continue to have major hadas before her period is over.
So, it will be in vain if a menstruating woman performs wudu and Janabah bath.
Prayer (Salat)
The second prohibition for a menstruating woman is prayer (salat). We can find this explanation in the hadith below.
قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِذَا أقْبَلَتِ الحَيْضَةُ، فَدَعِي الصَّلَاةَ، وإذَا أدْبَرَتْ، فَاغْسِلِي عَنْكِ الدَّمَ وصَلِّي
Allah's Messenger (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "If menstruation has come, then do not pray. If it (menstruation) has gone, then clean the menstrual blood and pray."
Touch the Quran
The third prohibition for a menstruating woman is touching the Quran. We can find this explanation in the Quran below:
لَّا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ
Do not touch it except those who are purified. (Al-Waqi'ah: 79).
Tawaf
The fourth prohibition for a menstruating woman is Tawaf. We can find this explanation in the hadith below:
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالَى عَنْهَا قَالَتْ ؛ لَمَّا جِئْنَا سَرِفْ حِضْتُ . فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : اِفْعَلِيْ مَا يَفْعَلُ الْحَاجُّ غَيْرَ أَنْ لَا تَطُوْفِيْ فِيْ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى تَطْهُرِي . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ
From Aisah radliyallaahu Taala anhaa, she said, “When we arrived at Sarif, I was on my period. The Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam then said, "Do something that is usually done by people who perform Hajj, but you do not perform tawaf in the Baitul Haram until you are pure." This hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Having sex
The fifth prohibition for a menstruating woman is to have sex. We can find this explanation in the Quran and the hadith below.
وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَاعْتَزِلُوا النِّسَاءَ فِي الْمَحِيضِ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ ۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
They ask you about menstruation. Say, "Menstruation is something dirty." That is why you should stay away from woman when they are menstruating. And do not approach them until they are pure. If they are pure, then come to them where Allah has commanded you. Verily, Allah loves those who repent and those who purify themselves." (Al-Baqarah: 222).
عَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ، أَنَّ الْيَهُوْدَ كَانَتْ إِذَا حَاضَتْ الْمَرْأَةُ لَمْ يُؤَاكِلُوْهَا ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : اِصْنَعُوْا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ إِلَّا النِّكَاحَ . رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ
From Anas radliyallaahu anhu, that if the wife of a Jew is menstruating, then she will not eat with her. The Prophet (Muhammad) sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said, "Do everything except sex." This hadith was narrated by Muslim.
I'tikaf
The sixth prohibition for menstruating woman is I'tikaf. We can find this explanation in the hadith below:
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِنِّيْ لَا أُحِلُّ الْمَسْجِدَ لِحَائِضٍ وَلَا جُنُبٍ . رَوَاهُ أَبُوْ دَاوُدَ
From Aisha radliyallaahu anhaa, she said, "The Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam has said, "Indeed I do not allow woman who are menstruating and people who are junub to stay in the mosque." This hadith was narrated by Abu Dawud.
Fasting (Shaum)
The seventh prohibition for menstruating woman is fasting (shaum). We can find this explanation in the hadith below:
عَنْ أَبِيْ سَعِيْدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : أَلَيْسَ إِذَا حَاضَتْ لَمْ تُصَلِّ وَلَمْ تَصُمْ
From Abu Sa'id al-Khudri radliyallahu anhu from the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, he said, "Isn't if she is menstruating then she does not pray and does not fast."
Divorced
The eighth prohibition for menstruating woman is divorce. We can find this explanation in the hadith below:
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أنَّهُ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ، وَهي حَائِضٌ في عَهْدِ رَسُوْلِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وسلَّمَ، فَسَأَلَ عُمَرُ بنُ الخَطَّابِ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ، فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : مُرْهُ فَلْيُرَاجِعْهَا
From Ibn Umar, that he had divorced his wife when she was menstruating during the time of the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Umar bin Khattab then asked about it to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam then said to him, "Order him to return to his wife…"
Those are the eight prohibitions for menstruating woman according to Islamic law that must be understood by Muslims.
Things that are permissible for a Menstruating Woman
The third important point about “Can a menstruating woman take a shower (ghusl)?” What I will explain in this article are things that are permissible for a menstruating woman. If we read Islamic legal literacy about menstruation, then we will find an explanation, that some things that are permissible for menstruating woman are as follows:
Reading Dhikr
There are many types of Dhikr, such as Tasbih, Istighfar, Tahmid, Salawat, and so on. A menstruating woman can recite Dhikr.
Reading the Quran without holding it
The second thing that is permissible for a menstruating woman is to read the Quran without holding it. I say again, just read the Quran without holding it.
It is true, there is a hadith that explains that a menstruating woman and junub people are not allowed to read the Quran. The hadith I mean is as follows:
قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : لَا تَقْرَأُ الْحَائِضُ، وَلَا الْجُنُبُ شَيْئًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ
Allah's Messenger (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Menstruating woman and Junub people are not allowed to read the Quran at all."
But what you need to understand is, that the hadith does not have a strong argument as a legal basis. The status of the hadith is invalid.
Can a Menstruating Woman Take a Shower (Ghusl)?
Now, specifically, I will explain the answer to the question, "Can a menstruating woman take a shower (ghusl)?"
In general, if we understand the first point about the things that are forbidden for a menstruating woman, then we conclude that the reason for the prohibition of janaba bath and wudu for a menstruating woman is because they cannot purify them. It would be a waste if they did that.
But, if their goal is to take a bath to cleanse their body, then that's OK. In other words, a menstruating woman may take a bath to cleanse their bodies.
All readers! That's a brief explanation of "Can a menstruating woman take a shower (ghusl)?". Do you understand? If you want to ask, please ask!
I think that's enough for this article. May be useful. Amen.
See you again in the next article!
What I truly appreciate about this article is how you broke down the subject into clear and organized sections. The explanations about the prohibitions for menstruating women, such as praying, fasting, and performing tawaf, are incredibly enlightening. These points helped me understand not only the rulings but also the wisdom behind them. The references to the Quran and Hadith add credibility and depth to your discussion, making it easier for someone like me to grasp the religious basis for these rulings.
I also found the section about permissible actions during menstruation to be very comforting. The reminder that dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and other forms of worship can still be performed during this time is empowering and emphasizes that menstruation does not hinder one's spiritual connection to Allah. This clarity is crucial, especially for new Muslims who are still learning the balance between religious observance and natural human conditions.
Your writing style is simple and easy to follow, which makes the article accessible to a wide audience. This is especially important for people who are new to Islam or for those who might struggle with more technical or scholarly language. You managed to explain complex Islamic rulings in a way that feels approachable and non-intimidating.
I also appreciate how you emphasized the significance of ghusl after menstruation and the role it plays in achieving both physical and spiritual purity. This understanding helps me feel more confident in practicing my faith and adhering to its guidelines.
Overall, this article is not just informative but also uplifting. It reassures readers, especially new Muslims like me, that Islam is a religion of practicality and compassion. Thank you again for your effort in creating such a valuable resource. May Allah reward you abundantly for sharing this knowledge.