♥Pearls Of Wisdom❤

*•*• | Acts Of Worship You Can Do During Menses•*•*|

While others will be busy in acts of worship such as fasting, praying, reading Qur'an, etc., most women will spend a portion of Ramadan in the state of menstruation (or postnatal bleeding), leaving them unable to participate in the aforementioned activities.

It is not easy to stay positive at times like these, especially when we see those around us rushing to masajid for taraweeh prayers, spending time in 'itikaaf and reciting the Qur'an. This can lead us to feeling deprived of the reward of this blessed month, and often this feeling ends up decreasing our spirituality rather than increasing it.

Our menstrual cycles (or postnatal bleeding) are a part of Allah subhaana wa ta'alaa's creation and something that is ordained by Him. Allah subhaana wa ta'alaa tells us in the Qur'an that "He has created us in the best of molds" [At-Teen:4]. We are also told that Allah has "appointed a due proportion" [At-Talaq:2-3] for everything and that "for every matter there is an appointed time given" [Ar-Rad:38]. [1] Thus, to complain about it would be to question the Wisdom of Allah subhaana wa ta'alaa. This is not anything to feel sad or inconvenienced about, but rather it should be accepted as part of the Divine Wisdom.

This same message was conveyed to us by Ayesha radi Allahu 'anha via the hadith of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Ayesha narrates that, "We set out with the sole intention of performing Hajj and when we reached Sarif, my menses began. The Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam came to me while I was crying and asked, 'What is the matter with you? Has your menses started?' I replied, 'Yes.' He said, 'This is something which Allah has destined for the daughter of Adam.'" (Al-Hakim)

Islam is the straight path that leads to the pleasure of Allah subhanaa wa ta'ala and ultimate success in the aakhirah. However, praise be to Allah, the path of Islam is broad, i.e. there is a huge variety of good deeds one can do to come closer to Allah subhaana wa ta'aala. Likewise, there are many other ways of achieving spirituality while we are on our menses (or going through postnatal bleeding) besides salah, siyaam and 'itikaaf. This was exemplified for us through the practice of the wife of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Narrated Maimuna, the wife of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, "During my menses, I never prayed, but used to sit on the mat beside the mosque of Allah's Apostle..." (Bukhari)

Here are a few practical suggestions of good deeds that a Muslimah can do while she is menstruating or has postnatal bleeding.

At the time of the adhan:

Repeat after the adhan

Make du'a for the intercession of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam after the adhan

Allaahumma Rabba haathihid-da 'watit-taammati wassalaatil-qaa'imati, 'aati Muhammadanil-waseelata walfadheelata, wab 'ath-hu maqaamam-mahmoodanil-lathee wa'adtahu, ['innaka laa tukhliful-mee'aad] (O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and established prayer. Grant Muhammad the intercession and favor, and raise him to the honored station You have promised him, [verily You do not neglect promises]). [Reference: Bukhari & Bayhaqi]

Make du'a between the adhan and iqaama. Invocation during this time is not rejected.

When you wake up:

"Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee 'ahyaanaa ba'da maa 'amaatanaa wa'ilayhin-nushoor." (Praise is to Allah Who gives us life after He has caused us to die and to Him is the return.) [Reference: Bukhari]

"Laa 'illaha 'illallahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer Subhaanallahi, walhamdu lillaahi, wa laa 'ilaha 'illallahu, wallaahu 'akbar, wa laa hawla wa laa Quwwata 'illaa billaahil-'Aliyyil-'Adheem, Rabbighfir lee." (There is none worth of worship but Allah alone, Who has no partner, His is the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is able to do all things. Glory is to Allah. Praise is to Allah. There is none worth of worship but Allah. Allah is the Most Great. There is no might and no power except by Allah's leave, the Exalted, the Mighty. My Lord, forgive me.) [Reference: Bukhari]