بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

HAJJ JOURNEY OF A LIFE TIME for those who can AFFORD

HAJJ is NOT Transferable

by Irshad Mahmood

NO Hajj in place of others who are Dead or Alive

Sending or taking your dependents for Hajj is also your responsibility

You will get reward of what you yourself used to do. (Al_Quraan_036.054, 045.028)

Every Hajj is Hajj-e-Akbar and every Umrah is Hajj-e-Asghar (Ref: Al_Quraan_009:003)

“Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayk La shareeka Laka Labbayk. Innal hamda Wan ni’mata Laka wal mulk. La shareeka lak.”

“Here I am at Your service O Lord, here I am. Here I am. There is no partner to You. Here I am. Truly, all praise and favour is Yours, as well as all Domin-ion. There is no partner to You.”

Helping the NEEDY is more IMPORTANT than helping others to perform the HAJJ:

It is found that people are collecting Funds to help Huffaaz and Ulemaa to perform Hajj. Remember Hajj is Fard on those who can afford in his/her lifetime with his/her own Halaal income. It is far better to help the needy who are starving around the world.

Give Donations Open and Hidden as well:

If you declare your charities, it is well, but if you hide it and give it to the poor, it will be better for you, and will atone for some of your ill-deeds. Allah is Informed of what you do. (Al_Quraan_002:271)

Those who can find the needy among their relatives or friends near they live, they can easily give charities hiddenly. BUT for those who are living abroad they need a bridge between them and their relatives or friends, which will be openly.This way the bridge between them and their needy will work fine. If there is some problem among our system we need to fix it by having a bypass surgery.

Bridge for the Needy:

The Charities are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them (Bridge between the Needy and the rich person), and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise. (Al_Quraan_009:060)

Now a days life is getting more and more difficult, competitions are a lot more than before and many people may not get enough time to go to the needy by themselves, specially those who are working abroad, we need a bridge between them. When there is some problem with heart Doctor fixed them by doing bypass surgery, similarly if our family bridge doesn't work then we need to fix the bridge or made another bypass surgery. We need to work together to help our relatives and friends with deep heart and in an organized way. Also to send ten peoples 50 Dollars each separately Bank may charge for this transaction up to 50 dollars each, and you may end up with paying 500 dollars to bank. BUT if you are organized, you can reduce this transaction charges to one and send to one place the Bridge and the Bridge person will give those money to all the needy and this way you may help the needy most. It is time to make a bridge for the needy among our relatives and friends.

Give Donations to the poor who are suffering in the cause of Allah as well:

(Charities are) for the poor who are suffering in the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounts them wealthy because of their restraint. They shall know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing you spend, lo! Allah knows it. (Al_Quraan_002:273)

Remember: Your Hajj may not be accepted if your Salaat is not accepted and Your Salaat may not be accepted if your Zakaat or Sadaqah is not accepted:

Also the Zakaat and the Sadaqah are an essention part of the Salaat, since neglecting the Zakaat and the Sadaqah is like neglecting the Salaat, according to the following ayaats.

Do you know who really rejects the faith? That is the one who mistreats the orphans. And does not encourages the feeding of the poor. So woe to the praying ones. Who are totally neglectful of their prayers. Those who do (good) only to show off. But refuse (to supply) (even for) neighbourly needs. (Al_Quraan_107.001-007)

YOU MUST READ A BOOK ON HAJJ, AND LEARN EVERY THING YOUR SELVES DO NOT DEPEND ON THE HAJJ GUIDE OR MOULANA / SHEIKH. IN CASE YOUR MOULANA OR YOUR GUIDE GET SICK, LOST OR DIE, YOU MAY STILL BE ABLE TO CARRY YOUR HAJJ AND PERFORM YOUR HAJJ PROPERLY.

TYPES OF HAJJ

1 Hajj Ifrad 2 Hajj Tamattu 3 Hajj Qiran(Afzal Hajj)

Hajj Tamattu:

Whenever you are travelling with the intention of Hajj and you are not resident of Makkah and around Makkah, you have to perform Umrah first.

# HOW TO PERFORM UMRAH?

Every Hajj is Hajj-e-Akbar and every Umrah is Hajj-e-Asghar (Ref: Al_Quraan_009:003)

##### FARD IN UMRAH: 1 - EHRAM 2 - TAWAF

EHRAM: - - - - Fard of Umrah

Before passing through Mekat , you are required to do the followings:

1- Take Gusal( Bath ) or Wudhoo (Ablution).

2- Put on Ehram, cover your head and perform two rikats Nafal for Ehram for Umrah.

(Intention: Ya Allah, I am making intention of two rikats Nafal for Ehram facing Kabah, Allahho Akbar).

Now remove the hat/cover from your head.

3- Make intention of Umrah(Intention: Ya Allah, I am making intention of Umrah please make it easy for me and accept it).

(Note: If you are doing Hajj Qiran put Ehram both for Umrah and Hajj Qiran at the same time. And donot shave and take the Ehram off after performing Umrah. Remain in Ehram until the Hajj Qurbani(Sacrifice of animal) which is on 10th Dhil Hajj. Remove Ehram after shave or hair cut).

4- Recite Talbiyah (Labbaik) now Ehram is complete.

Mekat: You can now pass through Mekat and travel towards Makkah.

5- When you arrive Makkah find a suitable accommodation than go for Tawaf of Kabah.

6- Enter Masjid-E-Haram from Babbus Salaam. You may enter from any other door.

7- When you see Kabah first time make Duaa. Best Duaa is to ask Allah, that whenever we will raise our hand. Ya Allah accept our all Duaa.

TAWAF: Perform Tawaf of Kabah seven times - - - - - - Fard of Umrah

Stop saying Talbiyah (Labbaik) before making intention of Tawaf. Do not say Talbiyah anymore.

1 Do Idhtebaa:Take the Ehram underneath your right armpit and put it on your left shoulder.

2 Just before black line near ‘Hijre Aswad’, facing Kabah, make intention of Tawaf.

(Intention: Ya Allah I am making intention of seven round of Tawaf make it easy for me and accept it)

3 Now, move to the black line , facing Kabah, put your hands up to the ear and put it down on Hajre Aswad and say Bismillahe Allahho Akbar, Wa Lilahil Hamd and put your hand down.

4 Now, proceed to kiss Hijre Aswad - Due to inaccessibility do Istalam:

and say “Allaho Akbar, La Illaha Il Lallah, Walhumdulillah. And kiss your hand.

5 It is Sunnat to do Ramal in first three round of those Tawaf followed by Sayee

6 During all these tasks, whole frontal part of your body(i.e. face,chest, toes etc) should be facing towards Kabah.

7 Now without moving whole body just move the sole of your feet to the right, so the Kabah will be naturally, on your left and your face, chest and toes are turned right.

8 Note: If any time during Tawaf your face, chest or back has turned towards Kabah, you have committed an act of Makrooh-E-Tahrimi, therefore, it would be Wajib for you to repeat the whole one round of Tawaf again. Or pay Jaza(Compensation).

Note: Only at the time of Istalam turning of your whole body towards Kabah is permitted.

9 During Tawaf do not let your eyes wonder around but lower your eyes.

10 It is proper to perform Tawaf in such a manner that it form a circle around holy Kabah and direct your faculties solely upon the focal point that you are in the environment of Allah’s house where his Noor and Tajalli is directed.

11 It is Mustaheb to perform Tawaf by taking small steps.

12 It is Sunnat-E-Moakkadah to perform the seven round of Tawaf without taking any break.

13 Donot pause or break off the Tawaf without any valid reason.

14 It is Makrooh to stop anywhere for Duaa around holy Kabah during the Tawaf.

15 It is Haram to cause any distress and cause injury to others during Tawaf. Donot push and shove others.

16 Donot complete your Tawaf in zig zag or haphazard manner.

17 It is Mustaheb to engage in Zikr and Duaa in low tone during Tawaf. It is Wajib to lower your tone if you are causing distraction.

18 When you reach Rukn-E-Yamani caress it either by both hand or with right hand only without turning your body towards Kabah. If you are at a distance from Rukn-E-Yamani then donot attempt to caress the Rukn-E-Yamani nor raise your hand or do Istalam on Rukn-E-Yamani. Just passed from there.

19 Recite Darood on reaching every corners of Kabah.

20 Recite from Rukn-E-Yamani to Hajre Aswad Duaa ---Rabbana Atena Fid Dunya……….

21 At the completion of each round, it is Sunnat to touch Hajre Aswad. But due to inaccessibility do Istalam at the completion of each round.

22 At the time of Hajj donot try to touch any part of Kabah in Ehram. Because Saudi Government put iter(Perfume) on it. If you touch Eitar(Perfume) your Ehram becomes invalid.

Wajibuttawaf -Once you have completed seven round of Tawaf perform two rikats Wajibuttawaf at Mukam-E-Ibrahim. If you cannot find a place than perform Wafjibuttawaf any where in Kabah.

(Intention: Ya Allah I am making intention for two rikats Wajibuttawaf, facing Kabah, Allaho Akbar).

It is Sunnat to recite surrah Kafroon in the first rikat and surrah Ikhlas in the second rikat. You may recite any other surah according to your wish.

Drink Zam Zam - Make Duaa before drinking Zam Zam. “Zam Zam is for whatever purpose one drinks it”Hadith.

Do Istalam of Hijre Aswad again after drinking Zam Zam.

SAYEE: Walking between Safa and Marwah seven times(Safa to Marwah on round and Marwah to Safa second round).

1 Make intention of seven rounds of Sayee and start your Sayee by climbing on Safa.

2 Make Duaa facing Kabah and say Allaho Akbar three times. Recite third and fourth Kalimah during Sayee.

3 Now move towards Marwah.

4 There are two green light between Safa and Marwah. Try to walk fast or cross quickly this area.

5 Now climb on Marwah and facing Kabah make Duaa –Complete seven round than

- Perform two rikats Nafal.

- Shave or cut your hair.

- Now ALL activities of Umrah-Ehram is complete.

(Note: If you are doing Hajj Qiran or Hajj Tamattu, it is preferable to fast three days before Day of Arafat. If you are doing Hajj Tamattu it is obligatory to sacrifice animal. Or fast three days during Hajj and seven days after returning home).

Now, wait for 8th Dhil Hajj for the Hajj. If you got time left over between completion of Umrah and Hajj, then keep busy in Tawaf, Nafal salat, and recitation of Quraan and Zikr. Even you sit and see Kabah, you get Sawab.

If you want to do more Umrah than you have to go back to the Mekat and pass through Mekat in Ehram for Umrah.. The nearest and convenient place to put Ehram is Masjid-E-Ayesha.

HOW TO PERFORM HAJJ?

Every Hajj is Hajj-e-Akbar and every Umrah is Hajj-e-Asghar (Ref: Al_Quraan_009:003)

##### FARD IN HAJJ

1- EHRAM 2- STAYING IN ARAFAT 3- TAWAF-E-ZIYARAT

8th Dhil-Hajj

MAKKAH – On 8TH Dhil-Hajj

1- Take Gusal(Bath) or Wudhoo (Ablution).

2- Put on Ehram and enter into Masjid-E-Haram - - - - - To put Ehran is Fard of Hajj

3- Cover your head and perform 2 rikats Nafal for Ehram of Hajj – Now remove hat/cover from your head.

(Intention: Ya Allah, I am making intention of two rikats Nafal for Ehram facing Kabah, Allahho Akbar).

Now remove cover from your head ------- Make intention of Hajj

(Intention: Ya Allah, I am making intention of Hajj, please make it easy for me and accept it).

4- Recite Talbiyah (Labbaik) now Ehram is complete

5- Leave Makkah with Ehram

6- Reach Mina before Zohar

(Note: If you are doing Hajj Qiran, then before leaving Makkah, do Nafal Tawaf, do Wajibutttaf, drink Zam Zam and complete Sayee. You will not have to do SAYEE with Tawaf-E-Ziyarat on 10th Dhil Hajj).

MINA - On 8th Dhil-Hajj

1- Reach Mina before Zohar

2- Perform Zohar, Asar, Magrib, Esha on time—(Note: Do Kasar salat)

3- To stay in this night on Mina is Sunnat.

Keep yourself busy in Talbiyah (Labbaik)

9th Dhil-Hajj

MINA - On 9th Dhil-Hajj

4- Perform Fajar in Mina

5- After Salat keep yourself busy in recitation of Quraan, Duaa etc.

6- After sunshine when sunshine is spread over leave Mina for ARAFAT.

ARAFAT - On 9th Dhil-Hajj - - - Staying in Arafat is Fard of Hajj.

After reaching Arafat the following activities should be done.

1- Take Gusl or Wudhoo before zawal(Noon).

2- It is Wajib to stay in Arafat from zawal to sunset.

3- During staying at Arafat it is better to stand facing towards Qiblah

if tired sit down and stand again.

4- Keep yourself busy in Talbiyah (Labbaik) recitation of Quraan, Duaa, Zikr of Darood sharif,

Istigfar etc. until sunset.

5- To hear khutbah in Masjid-E-Nimrah is Sunnat.

6- In Masjid-E-Nimrah Imam will lead two salats together Zohar and Asar, so do not read 2 Sunnat in between. Imam is resident there, but still perform Kasar salat( Traveller’s salat) which is according Hambali Mazhab.

Therefore, Hanfis should not follow instead they should pray Zohar at Zohar time and Asar at Asar time with jamat at their own places.

Note: Front part of Masjid-E-Nimrah is outside Arafat. Make sure you are not standing in the outside area of Arafat. If you leave Arafat before Maghrib Dam is Wajib on you.

Advise: May be Masjid-E-Nimrah is miles away from your tent and in hot weather like Arafat you might get tired if you try to attend salats in Masjid-e-Nimrah. Therefore, it is better to save your stength, stay at your tent and spend more time in saying prayers and salats.

7- After finishing staying in Arafat leave for Muzdalifah after sunset without praying Magrib salat.

Magrib salat before Esha time is not accepted. And if any body leaves Arafat before sunset

Dam (Fine) is Wajib on him.

8- Keep on doing Zikr and Talbiyah on the way to Muzdalifah as much as you can.

MUZDALIFAH - On 9th Dhil-Hajj--Night

1- Reach Muzdalifah on this night without praying Magrib at Arafat.

2- Here pray Magrib and Esha both together at the time of Esha. First pray Fard of Magrib and then Fard of Esha. Then pray Sunnat of Magrib, Sunnat and Witr of Esha. Fard salat with Jamat is better than to pray alone.

3- Spend the whole night in Muzdalifah in ibadat which is Mustaheb. The night of Muzdalifah is

better than Shab-E-Qadr.

4- It is better to stay at mountain of Quzah (Mushar-E-Haram) if possible. Always remain busy in

Labbaik and Zikr of Kalema-Tayyabah, Allahu-Akbar, Darood, Istigfar etc.

10th Dhil-Hajj

MUZDALIFAH - On 10th

5- To stay at Muzdalifah sometime before the sunrise is Wajib. Perform Fajar salat in beginning time and stay until sunrise, which is Sunnat-E-Moakkadah.

6- Don’t stay in ‘Wadi of Muhassar’ where ‘Ashab-E-Feel’ (Abraha & his army) were punished, rather pass through very fast.

7- Leave for Mina when about two rikats time is left before sunrise if necessary.

8- It is Mustaheb to pick stones (As little as chick-peas) and wash them for ‘Ramee of

Jamra-E Uqbah’ from Muzdalifah.

MINA - On 10th Dhil-Hajj

1- Today, first work is to throw stones at JAMRA-E-UQBAH, which is Wajib. To bring seven stones from Muzdalifah is Mustaheb. You can pick up the stones from somewhere else except near the Jumrat. Stone should be clean, if not wash them. It is Sunnat to throw stones from sunrise to zawal, but you can do until sunset. For ladies, sick and old people it is not Makrooh after sunset as well until Subhe-Sadiq.

###### HOW TO THROW STONES

1- As soon as you start throwing stones at Jamra-E-Uqbah stop saying Labbaik. And donot say Talbiyah(Labbak) afterward any more.

2- By standing at least 5 arm length or more from Jamra and by keeping Makkah on left

side and Mina on right side. Throw stones one by one with right hand saying ‘Bismillah-E-Allahu-Akbar’ every time.

###### QURBANI & SHAVING HEAD

After throwing stones at Jamra-E-Uqbah, go and perform Hajj Qurbani(Sacrifice of animal).

After this shave your head or cut your hair. But to shave is better.

Now you can take off the Ehram and put on normal clothes.

MAKKAH – On 10TH Dhil-Hajj

### TAWAF-E-ZIYARAT - - - Tawaf-E-Ziyarat is Fard of Hajj

After performing all these activities, go to Makkah from Mina for Tawaf-E-Ziyarat.

Perform Tawaf of Kabah.

- Do Ramal in first three round if you have to do Sayee

- Perform two rikats Wajibuttawaf at Mukam-E-Ibrahim.

- Drink Zam-Zam.

If SAYEE of Hajj has not been done before do it now.

After finishing Tawaf-E-Ziyarat come back to Mina before Maghrib to stay somewhere else is Makrooh.

Better time to do Tawaf-E-Ziyarat is 10th Dhil-Hajj, but you can do until the sunset of

12th Dhil-Hajj.

After Tawaf -E-Ziyarat all restriction of Ehram are finished.

11th Dhil-Hajj

MINA - On 11th Dhil-Hajj

1- Staying in Mina you have to do Ramee for all three Jamarats after zawal(Noon) till sunset. It is Makrooh to do Ramee after sunset. But ladies, sick & old people can do the Ramee after

sunset until Fajar.

###### FIRST RAMEE JAMRA-E-ULA

Throw seven stones one by one saying Bismillah-E-Allahu Akbar every time. After that moving

from the crowd make Duaa facing towards Qiblah. Then stay for a while and read Allaho

Akbar, Kalimah-Tayyabah, Istigfar and Duaa.

###### SECOND RAMEE JAMRA-E-WUSTA

Throw seven stones one by one saying Bismillah-E-Allahu Akbar every time. After that moving

from the crowd make Duaa facing towards Qiblah. Then stay for a while and read Allaho

Akbar, Kalimah-Tayyabah, Istigfar and Duaa.

THIRD RAMEE JAMRA-E-UQBAH

Throw seven stones one by one saying Bismillah-E-Allahu Akbar every time. But don’t stay for

Duaa because it is not Sunnat.

Spent rest of your time in recitation of Quraan, Zikr and Duaa etc. At your own places (Tents).

Note: If you could not complete the activities of 10th Dhil-Hajj on that day because of crowd you can do today the 11th Dhil-Hajj. You should go far Tawaf-E-Ziyarat early in the morning. When you are returning make sure you will get down at Jamarat. Do the Ramee after Zawal in the manner described above, and come back to your tent at Mina.

#### 12th Dhil-Hajj

MINA On 12th Dhil-Hajj

1- After zawal do Ramee of the three Jamarat in the same manner as you have done on the 11th Dhil-Hajj.

First: Jumra-E-Ula Second: Jamra-E-Wusta Third: Jamra-E-Uqbah

2- If you do not want to stay in Mina on 13th Dhil-Hajj(Which you are allowed to do)

then leave for Makkah before sunset. It is Makrooh to leave Mina after sunset.

3- Perform salat with jamat and spend the rest of your time in recitation of Quraan Zikr,

Darood, and Duaa etc.

Note: If you could not do Qurbani and Tawaf-E-Ziyarat on 10th Dhil-Hajj or 11th Dhil-Hajj do these today. You should go far Tawaf-E-Ziyarat early in the morning. When you are returning to Mina make sure you will get down at Jamarat. Do the Ramee after Zawal in the manner described above, and come back to your tent at Mina.

13th Dhil-Hajj

MINA - On 13th Dhil-Hajj

It is better to stay in Mina on this day.

1- If you do not want to stay in Mina on 13th Dhil-Hajj(Which you are allowed to do)

then after Ramee leave Mina for Makkah. before sunset on 12 Dhil-Hajj

2- If you stayed on the night of 13th Dhil-Hajj until morning Ramee now becomes Wajib on you.

3- You can do Ramee before zawal(Noon).

4- After subhe-Sadiq do Ramee in the same manner as yesterday, the 12th Dhil-Hajj

First: Jumra-E-Ula Second: Jamra-E-Wusta Third: Jamra-E-Uqbah

DO TAWAF-E-WEDA BEFORE COMING HOME---Do Tawaf-E-Weda in normal cloth.

PLEASE ALSO READ RECOMMENDED BOOK AND LEARN WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO DURING TAWAF,EHRAM AND HAJJ.

IT IS FARD ON EVRY MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO LEARN HAJJ - DO NOT DEPEND ON ANY ONE ELSE FOR HAJJ

Do not forget brother Manzar in your Duaa.

Menstruating Woman Reciting the Qur’an and Making Du`aa’ at `Arafah

Date: 15/Jun/2005

Source: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Hajj_Umra/HajjE/HajjE&cid=1124781358021

Question:

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to recite du`aa’ that includes verses from the Qur’an when she is at `Arafah?

Answer:

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister in Islam, thanks a lot for your question, which shows your keenness on abiding by Allah’s laws and teachings. May Allah enlighten our hearts with the light of Islam!

It is very important to note that there is nothing wrong if a menstruating woman or a woman who is bleeding following childbirth recites du`aa’ that includes verses from the Qur’an or recites the Qur’an from memory at `Arafah.

In this regard, Sheikh Abdul-`Aziz ibn Baz, the late Mufti of Saudi Arabia stated:

There is nothing wrong if a menstruating woman or a woman who is bleeding following childbirth recites du`aa’ that are recommended while performing the rituals of Hajj. There is also nothing wrong with her reciting Qur’an, according to the correct opinion, because there is no report that clearly states that a menstruating woman or a woman who is bleeding following childbirth is not allowed to recite Qur’an. Rather it is narrated specifically that one who is having major ritual impurity after sexual intercourse should not recite Qur’an when in that state. But she should recite without touching the mushaf (the copy of the Qur’an; that is, she should recite from memory). Based on this, it is obvious that she is allowed to read books in which there are du`aa’ mixed with hadiths and verses from the Qur’an and so on. This is the correct view and it is the more correct of the two scholarly opinions.

Menstruating Women and Entering the Sacred Mosque During Hajj

Date: 12/May/2005

Source: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1124781357739&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Hajj_Umra/HajjE/HajjE

Question:

Respected scholars of Islam, As-Salamu `alaykum. If a woman has her monthly period during her stay in Makkah or Madinah During Hajj, is it completely impermissible for her to enter the Sacred Mosque in Makkah or the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah? It seems most of the scholars are of the opinion that it is impermissible. However, we know that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) allowed a woman who cleaned the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah) to actually put up a tent inside where she could stay and preserve her privacy. Could you please clarify this issue for us?

Answer:

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister in Islam, thanks a lot for your question, which reflects your care to have a clear view of the teachings of Islam. Allah commands Muslims to refer to people of knowledge to become well-acquainted with the teachings of Islam in all aspects of life.

According to the majority of scholars, women in their period are not to spend time in the mosques (the two Sacred Mosques included). However, some scholars consider it permissible for her to do so.

In response to the question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:

While the majority of imams and scholars are of the opinion that women in their period are not to spend time in the mosques (the two Sacred Mosques included), some scholars consider it permissible for her to do so. According to the latter, the traditions cited by the former in this regard are considered either too weak or contradicted by other traditions and practices of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It is an acceptable principle of jurisprudence that when various proofs contradict, the original rule of permission should be upheld.

Even those scholars who do not allow menstruating women to enter or stay inside the mosque consider it permissible for her to do so should there be a need for her to do so; while there are others who find nothing wrong for her to do so if there is no fear of soiling or dirtying it. Thus Imam Abu Hanifah and others do permit them to enter the Sacred Mosque for Tawaf should they need to do so. The scholars of Shafi`i school do not consider it wrong for them if they take the necessary safeguards.

Imam Ibn Taymiyyah goes a step further when he considers it permissible in case of any need or purpose; visiting the Prophet’s grave or attending an educational lecture or service, etc. can all be included in this category.

Now coming to the issue of women making Tawaf in a state of menstruation, the authentic view on this issue can be summed up as follows:

If she can possibly wait in Makkah until such time that her menses stops and she purifies herself, then she should delay her Tawaf to perform it later. If, however, she has no choice but return home as the group she has traveled with is returning, then she is allowed to perform Tawaf while still menstruating. In this case, her Tawaf is considered valid, and there is no need for her to offer a fidyah (expiation) applicable to ihram violations.

This view has been put forward by Imam Ibn Taymiyyah after a detailed study of the sources, and it is considered authentic and in full conformity with the principles of Islamic jurisprudence.

Excerpted with slight modifications from: www.muslims.ca

Does Menstruation get in the way of a woman's Religious Duties?
By Haroon Khan (sooly@globalnet.co.uk)

http://www.free-minds.org/women/menstura.htm

According to Muslim scholars, a woman is not allowed to perform her religious duties if she is menstruating. A woman has been disallowed from performing her Salaat (prayers performed to get closer to God) if she happens to be menstruating. Worse still, woman are also told that they are not allowed to fast either if they are menstruating. The logic behind the prohibition is that women are in a state of impurity and are unclean when menstruating.

The question is, when God is all knowing and He is fully aware of how women are physiologically different from men, why would He forbid women from performing not only their Salaat but also fasting as well.

First of all let us examine the verses concerning Salaat which give the conditions under which we are allowed to perform Salaat.

"O you who believe, when you observe the Contact Prayers (Salaat ), you shall:

Wash your faces,
Wash your arms to the elbows,
Wipe your heads, and your feet to the ankles.
If you were unclean due to sexual orgasm, you shall bathe.

If you are ill, or traveling, or had any excretion, or had (sexual ) contact with the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe the dry ablution (Tayammum) by touching clean dry soil, then rubbing your faces and hands.

GOD does NOT wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative." (Al_Quraan_005:006)

In the above verse God has listed many things which can make us impure before performing Salaat. Yet for some reason a woman having her period (menstruating) is not given a mention. Let us look at another verse which is a little more specific:

"O you who believe, do not come near the Contact Prayers (Salaat) while unclear, until you know what you are saying.

Nor after sexual intercourse unless you wash (bathe), except if you are traveling through the land.

If you are ill or traveling, or you had any excretion, or sexually contacted the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe dry ablution (Tayamum) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith.

GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver." (Al_Quraan_004.:43)

This verse tells us not to perform Salaat if we are unclean, however the condition of menstruation is not such a condition that prevents a woman from performing Salaat.

I think it is clear enough that women are nowhere prohibited in the Quraan from performing Salaat while menstruating.

Now let us take a look at the verses regarding fasting.

"O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation.

Ramadan is the month during which the Quraan was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book.

Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein.

Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days.

GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation." (Al_Quraan_002:184-185)

As we can see from the above passages of the Quraan fasting is prescribed for us as it was for those before us. God also mentions things which can get in the way of our fasting such as illness or travels and says that we can substitute those days when we are not ill or traveling yet there is no mention of menstruation getting in the way of a woman fasting.

This leads us to beg the question if menstruation is mentioned at all in the Quraan. There is one verse that does talk about menstruation:

"And they ask you about menstruation: say, "It is harmful; you shall abstain from the women during menstruation and do not approach them until they are cleansed. Once they are cleansed, you may approach them in the manner ordained by GOD. GOD loves the repenters, and He loves those who are pure." (Al_Quraan_002:222)

The only verse that deals with the issue of menstruation tells men not to approach their wives in a sexual manner nor have sex with them when they are menstruating. God's book is fully detailed (refer Al_Quraan_006:114), and He left nothing out of it (refer Quraan 6:38). Nor did God run out of words (refer Al_Quraan_018:109). Everything we need to know with regards to Islam is contained within the Quraan. As we can clearly see God does not stop a woman from performing her religious duties just because she is menstruating.

I would just like to end with a verse from the Quraan that we should always remember.

`Say, "If the ocean were ink for the words of my Lord, the ocean would run out, before the words of my Lord run out, even if we double the ink supply." (Al_Quraan_018:109)

Your comments are welcome....noor.e.islaam@gmail.com

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