How can the woman perform hajj in her menstruation or postnatal bleeding?

- ‘Abdullah Ibn 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab (may God be pleased with them both) said, "A menstruating woman on hajj or ‘umrah may enter ihram if she wishes, but is not to make tawaf or sa'y. She is to perform all the rites with the rest of the pilgrims except for tawaf and sa'y and she is required to refrain from entering the Mosque until she is pure."1

- lady 'A`isha (may God be pleased with her) narrated, "We went out with the Prophet for the Farewell Pilgrimage. Some of us had assumed ihram for 'umrah and others for hajj. When we reached Mecca, the Messenger of God said, ‘Whoever has entered ihram for 'umrah and does not have a hady (animal driven to the scared land for expiation or to gain the pleasure of God), is to release himself from ihram; whoever has entered ihram for 'umrah and has a hady with him must not release himself from ihram until he slaughters his hady; and whoever has assumed ihram for hajj, must complete his hajj." She added, “I was in a state of menstruation and remained in this state until the day of 'Arafat. I had only assumed ihram for 'umrah so the Prophet ordered me to undo my hair and comb it and enter ihram for hajj, omitting my 'umrah. I followed his orders and after we had performed hajj, the Prophet sent Abdul-Rahman Ibn Abu Bakr with me to al-Tan'eem to start my 'umrah."2

- In another narration, 'A`isha said, "I was still menstruating when I reached Mecca. I did not make tawaf or sa'y. When I informed the Messenger of God of this, he said, “Do what other pilgrims do except for tawaf and sa'y until you become pure."3

- 'A`isha (may God be pleased with her) said, "Asma` bint 'Umays was in a state of postnatal bleeding after giving birth to Mohammed Ibn Abu Bakr. The Messenger of God ordered Abu Bakr to command her to take a purifactory bath and enter ihram."4

- Ibn 'Umar (may God be pleased with them both) narrated, "Whoever performs hajj must perform tawaf al-wada' (farewell circumambulation) as the last rite except for menstruating women because the Messenger permitted them not to perform it."5

It is permissible for a woman in menstruation or postnatal bleeding and those in a state of ritual impurity to do all the rites of hajj except for tawaf and praying the two rak'ahs of tawaf. Therefore, the ihram of a woman in menstruation or postnatal bleeding is valid although it is recommended that she bathe first. It is likewise permissible for women in these two states to have the baths that are recommended during hajj, to stand at 'Arafat, and do other rites due to the words of the Prophet, "Do what pilgrims do except for tawaf."

Based on this, a woman in menstruation or postnatal bleeding must continue the rites of hajj and refrain from making tawaf until she is pure. Concerning a woman who fears that her companions may depart before she performs tawaf and cannot wait until she is pure from menstruation, some scholars have maintained that it is permissible for her to circumambulate the Ka'bah while wearing a sanitary pad to prevent her from soiling the mosque. As for tawaf al-wada', it is permissible for a woman to omit it.

5 Recorded by Al-Tirmidhi (958) who declared it fair and authentic.

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1 Recorded by Malik (760).

2 Recorded by Bukhari (320) and Muslim (2969).

3 Recorded by Bukhari (1676) and Muslim (2977).

4 Recorded by Muslim (2966).