أَحْكَامُ الْحَيْضِ فِي الْحَجِّ وَالْعُمْرَةِ
Women may experience menstruation (الْحَيْضُ) while preparing for or performing Hajj (الْحَجُّ) or Umrah (الْعُمْرَةُ). Menstruation does not cancel a woman’s Ihram (الْإِحْرَامُ) or prevent her from continuing her pilgrimage. However, there are specific rulings regarding Salah (الصَّلَاةُ) and Tawaf (الطَّوَافُ).
This guide explains the important rules for Hajj and Umrah during menstruation, with relevant Quranic verses, authentic Hadith, and the main rulings concerning Ihram, Tawaf, Salah, and the different types of Tawaf.
Quranic Guidance About Menstruation
أَحْكَامُ الْحَيْضِ فِي الْقُرْآنِ
The Quran mentions menstruation and explains the general ruling concerning purification:
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
Translation:
“They ask you about menstruation. Say: ‘It is an impurity. So, keep away from women during menstruation; and do not have intimacy with them until they are cleansed. But when they are cleansed, then go to them from where Allah has commanded you. Surely Allah loves those who are most repenting, and loves those who keep themselves pure.’
(Quran 2:222)
This verse provides the general Quranic guidance concerning menstruation. The specific rulings regarding Hajj and Umrah are further explained through the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Does Menstruation Cancel Hajj or Umrah?
هَلْ يُبْطِلُ الْحَيْضُ الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ؟
No. Menstruation does not cancel Hajj or Umrah, and a woman can enter Ihram (الْإِحْرَامُ) while menstruating.
The important point is that menstruation does not prevent her from continuing with the pilgrimage. The main restrictions relevant here are Salah (الصَّلَاةُ) and Tawaf (الطَّوَافُ).
The Quran commands Muslims to complete Hajj and Umrah:
وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ
Translation:
“And complete Hajj and Umrah for Allah.”
(Quran 2:196)
Can a Woman Enter Ihram During Menstruation?
هَلْ تَدْخُلُ الْمَرْأَةُ فِي الْإِحْرَامِ أَثْنَاءَ الْحَيْضِ؟
Yes. A woman can enter Ihram (الْإِحْرَامُ) while menstruating. Menstruation does not prevent her from making the intention, reciting the Talbiyah, and entering into the state of Ihram.
A Hadith concerning Asma bint Umays رضي الله عنها shows that a woman in a state of postpartum bleeding was instructed to perform Ghusl (الْغُسْلُ) and enter Ihram:
أَنْ تَغْتَسِلَ وَتُهِلَّ
Translation:
“She should take a bath and enter Ihram.”
Therefore, menstruation itself is not a reason for a woman to delay entering Ihram when she needs to begin her Hajj or Umrah.
What Can a Woman Do During Menstruation?
مَاذَا تَفْعَلُ الْمَرْأَةُ أَثْنَاءَ الْحَيْضِ؟
A menstruating woman can continue with the applicable acts of Hajj and Umrah. She can remain in Ihram (الْإِحْرَامُ), make Talbiyah, make Du’a (الدُّعَاءُ), perform Dhikr (الذِّكْرُ), and participate in the other pilgrimage activities that are applicable to her.
The Prophet ﷺ instructed Aisha رضي الله عنها when she menstruated during Hajj:
فَافْعَلِي مَا يَفْعَلُ الْحَاجُّ، غَيْرَ أَنْ لَا تَطُوفِي بِالْبَيْتِ حَتَّى تَطْهُرِي
Translation:
“Do what the pilgrims do, except that you should not perform Tawaf around the House until you become pure.”
This Hadith is one of the main evidences concerning the rules of menstruation during Hajj.
Salah During Menstruation
الصَّلَاةُ أَثْنَاءَ الْحَيْضِ
A menstruating woman does not perform Salah (الصَّلَاةُ) during her menstruation.
This ruling applies whether she is in her normal life or performing Hajj or Umrah. Her being in Ihram does not change this ruling.
Therefore, if menstruation begins while a woman is performing Hajj or Umrah, she should continue with the pilgrimage-related activities that she is permitted to perform while not performing Salah.
Tawaf During Menstruation
الطَّوَافُ أَثْنَاءَ الْحَيْضِ
The most important restriction for a menstruating woman during Hajj or Umrah concerns Tawaf (الطَّوَافُ) around the Ka’bah.
She should wait until she becomes pure before performing the Tawaf that is required for her Hajj or Umrah.
The Prophet ﷺ specifically instructed Aisha رضي الله عنها:
فَافْعَلِي مَا يَفْعَلُ الْحَاجُّ، غَيْرَ أَنْ لَا تَطُوفِي بِالْبَيْتِ حَتَّى تَطْهُرِي
Translation:
“Do what the pilgrims do, except that you should not perform Tawaf around the House until you become pure.”
Tawaf al-Qudum
طَوَافُ الْقُدُومِ
Tawaf al-Qudum (طَوَافُ الْقُدُومِ) is the Tawaf performed upon arrival in Makkah in circumstances where it is prescribed.
According to the source used for this article, if a woman arrives in Makkah while menstruating, she does not perform Tawaf al-Qudum until she becomes pure. If she remains menstruating and the circumstances mean that she cannot perform it, she leaves it because Tawaf al-Qudum is Sunnah (سُنَّةٌ), and no Dam (دَمٌ) or Fidya (فِدْيَةٌ) is required for leaving this Sunnah.
Tawaf al-Ziyarat
طَوَافُ الزِّيَارَةِ
Tawaf al-Ziyarat (طَوَافُ الزِّيَارَةِ) is an essential part of Hajj and is classified as Fard (فَرْضٌ) in the source used for this guide.
If a woman is menstruating when Tawaf al-Ziyarat is due, she should wait until she becomes pure and can perform the Tawaf according to the applicable ruling.
This is different from Tawaf al-Qudum (طَوَافُ الْقُدُومِ), because Tawaf al-Qudum is Sunnah, whereas Tawaf al-Ziyarat is Fard.
What If Menstruation Begins Before Tawaf al-Ziyarat?
إِذَا حَاضَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ قَبْلَ طَوَافِ الزِّيَارَةِ
If menstruation begins before a woman has performed Tawaf al-Ziyarat (طَوَافُ الزِّيَارَةِ), she should wait until she becomes pure and then perform the required Tawaf.
The exact ruling in cases where she cannot remain in Makkah until purification can involve detailed fiqh rulings concerning Dam (الدَّمُ) and other consequences. These details can depend on the exact circumstances and the fiqh position being followed.
Therefore, in an unusual or unavoidable situation, a woman should consult a qualified scholar before taking a specific step.
Tawaf al-Wida
طَوَافُ الْوَدَاعِ
Tawaf al-Wida (طَوَافُ الْوَدَاعِ) is the farewell Tawaf performed before leaving Makkah.
The Prophet ﷺ gave special consideration to menstruating women. A Hadith states:
رُخِّصَ لِلْحَائِضِ أَنْ تَنْفِرَ إِذَا أَفَاضَتْ
Translation:
“Permission was given to the menstruating woman to depart after she had performed Tawaf al-Ifada.”
Therefore, if a woman has completed the required Tawaf al-Ziyarat/Tawaf al-Ifada and menstruation begins before departure, she is not required to remain in Makkah solely to perform Tawaf al-Wida.
According to the source used for this article, a menstruating woman may leave Tawaf al-Wida, and no Qada (قَضَاءٌ) or Dam (دَمٌ) is required for leaving it in this situation.
Menstruation During Umrah
الْحَيْضُ أَثْنَاءَ الْعُمْرَةِ
If a woman enters Ihram (الْإِحْرَامُ) for Umrah and then menstruation begins, her Ihram remains valid.
She should wait until she becomes pure. After purification, she performs Ghusl (الْغُسْلُ) and completes the required acts of her Umrah, including the Tawaf (الطَّوَافُ) that she was waiting to perform.
The important point is that menstruation does not mean that her Umrah has been cancelled. Rather, the Tawaf is delayed until purification.
Can a Menstruating Woman Make Dua and Dhikr?
الدُّعَاءُ وَالذِّكْرُ أَثْنَاءَ الْحَيْضِ
A woman in menstruation can make Du’a (الدُّعَاءُ) and engage in Dhikr (الذِّكْرُ). She can also recite the Talbiyah while in Ihram and continue with the permissible acts of Hajj and Umrah.
The main restrictions discussed in this context are Salah (الصَّلَاةُ) and Tawaf (الطَّوَافُ), while other pilgrimage activities continue according to their respective rulings.
Conclusion
Hajj and Umrah during menstruation have specific but manageable rulings for women. Menstruation does not cancel Ihram or prevent a woman from continuing her pilgrimage. She can remain in Ihram, perform the permissible acts of Hajj and Umrah, make Dua and Dhikr, and continue with the pilgrimage activities applicable to her.
The two major restrictions discussed here are Salah (الصَّلَاةُ) and Tawaf (الطَّوَافُ). Salah is not performed during menstruation, while the required Tawaf is delayed until the woman becomes pure and completes the necessary purification.
The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ provides clear guidance for women who experience menstruation during Hajj or Umrah, making it important to understand these rulings before travelling for pilgrimage.
Author Bio:
The author is an Islamic content writer and researcher associated with Tajweed Ul Quran Worldwide, dedicated to sharing authentic Islamic knowledge in a simple way. Through practical content on Hajj, Umrah, Quran, Sunnah, and Duas, the author helps pilgrims prepare for their journey. If you’re learning about the men’s and women’s hajj-umrah differences, click here to learn more.