Periods in Ramadan: How To Still Benefit and Get Reward
Asalam alaykum loves! I am posting again the same day mainly because I was one post behind but also I wanted to focus on a topic that is considered taboo or disgusting to some people, PERIODS.
AND NO NOT THE KIND AT THE OF A SENTENCE LOL .
I am talking : menses, Aunt flow, the visitor, time of the month, your friend, your menstrual cycle.
If it weirds you out to talk about it, no problema hermano, you can just click out now.
BUT I feel like whether you are a woman who experiences periods monthly or on the irregular or a man who will never experience that, it still benefits you to have the knowledge for women in your life whether it is your mom, aunt, sister, cousin or wife! You know what they go through and you will know the rulings of how to deal with it and just overall the symptoms and hardships they go through.
So basically one new thing I learned about periods in Islam is that there are three different types of bleeding, I had talked to a scholar about this, how if bleeding happens outside of the normal cycle time and it goes on longer than the normal amount of days, do I still not fast or pray, but as it turns out there is bleeding that happens that you can fast and pray. So the three types of bleeding are:
1) Menstrual Bleeding
- lasts anywhere from 3-7 days (can be longer or shorter for some people)
- you do not pray or fast (makeup fasts but not prayers)
- scholars differ on whether you can touch a Qitab (book Quran) but for the most part most people just read the verses on their phones
2) Post Partum Bleeding
-bleeding after having a baby
-usually lasts anywhere from 40-60 days (varying times depending on the person)
-same rulings as menstrual cycle, do not makeup prayers, just fasts
3) Bleeding Outside of Post Partum or Menstrual bleeding called Istihada
-bright red in color, unlike period blood
-happens outside of a normal period time, can last any amount of days
- medically referred to as abnormal vaginal bleeding or inter menstrual bleeding
Find more reasons about why bleeding/spotting happens outside of a period here:
https://www.healthline.com/health/womens
https://www.wikihow.com/Identify
https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/what-is-spotting
Definitely seek a healthcare professional's help if you are worried about this, I know my first time experiencing abnormal bleeding I freaked out and went to a doctor, most of the time our bodies just experiences so many changes and chemical imbalances, that is why periods become absent or irregular. But you can ask your primary doctor or OBGYN, to perform tests to find out if everything is okay.
Another important thing I wanted to note was that we shy away from discussing this topic and often young girls aren't aware of how to properly clean themselves after a period or because it is such a stigma to talk about they are too afraid to ask questions. We won't be able to teach our young people about how Islam approaches these kinds of things unless we show them. We except the school or weekend schools to approach these topics but sometimes they don't and when they do it is not the Islamic way. So if you are a parent or an older sibling or someone who watches over or mentors young people in the community definitely discuss these topics so they feel comfortable and safe.
AND NO NOT THE KIND AT THE OF A SENTENCE LOL .
I am talking : menses, Aunt flow, the visitor, time of the month, your friend, your menstrual cycle.
If it weirds you out to talk about it, no problema hermano, you can just click out now.
BUT I feel like whether you are a woman who experiences periods monthly or on the irregular or a man who will never experience that, it still benefits you to have the knowledge for women in your life whether it is your mom, aunt, sister, cousin or wife! You know what they go through and you will know the rulings of how to deal with it and just overall the symptoms and hardships they go through.
So basically one new thing I learned about periods in Islam is that there are three different types of bleeding, I had talked to a scholar about this, how if bleeding happens outside of the normal cycle time and it goes on longer than the normal amount of days, do I still not fast or pray, but as it turns out there is bleeding that happens that you can fast and pray. So the three types of bleeding are:
1) Menstrual Bleeding
- lasts anywhere from 3-7 days (can be longer or shorter for some people)
- you do not pray or fast (makeup fasts but not prayers)
- scholars differ on whether you can touch a Qitab (book Quran) but for the most part most people just read the verses on their phones
2) Post Partum Bleeding
-bleeding after having a baby
-usually lasts anywhere from 40-60 days (varying times depending on the person)
-same rulings as menstrual cycle, do not makeup prayers, just fasts
3) Bleeding Outside of Post Partum or Menstrual bleeding called Istihada
-bright red in color, unlike period blood
-happens outside of a normal period time, can last any amount of days
- medically referred to as abnormal vaginal bleeding or inter menstrual bleeding
Find more reasons about why bleeding/spotting happens outside of a period here:
https://www.healthline.com/health/womens
https://www.wikihow.com/Identify
https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/what-is-spotting
Definitely seek a healthcare professional's help if you are worried about this, I know my first time experiencing abnormal bleeding I freaked out and went to a doctor, most of the time our bodies just experiences so many changes and chemical imbalances, that is why periods become absent or irregular. But you can ask your primary doctor or OBGYN, to perform tests to find out if everything is okay.
Another important thing I wanted to note was that we shy away from discussing this topic and often young girls aren't aware of how to properly clean themselves after a period or because it is such a stigma to talk about they are too afraid to ask questions. We won't be able to teach our young people about how Islam approaches these kinds of things unless we show them. We except the school or weekend schools to approach these topics but sometimes they don't and when they do it is not the Islamic way. So if you are a parent or an older sibling or someone who watches over or mentors young people in the community definitely discuss these topics so they feel comfortable and safe.
Lastly I wanted to share a hadith about Asha Radi Allah Anha and the Prophet Salahuu Alayhi Waslam on periods:
"`Aisha said, "We set out with the sole intention of performing Hajj and when we reached Sarif, (a place six miles from Mecca) I got my menses. Allah's Messenger (ï·º) came to me while I was weeping. He said 'What is the matter with you? Have you got your menses?' I replied, 'Yes.' He said, 'This is a thing which Allah has ordained for the daughters of Adam. So do what all the pilgrims do with the exception of the Tawaf (Circumambulation) round the Ka`ba." `Aisha added, "Allah's Messenger (ï·º) sacrificed cows on behalf of his wives."
Look at how comforting how Prophet (Peace be upon him) was towards her, telling her she can tell engage in acts of worship and how he reminded her that it is something Allah decreed for all women to experience. It can be heartbreaking to experience sometimes because of the cramps and symptoms you go through as well as having to miss out on some acts of worship.
BUT we can still do other acts or worship besides praying or fasting!
- Read the translation of the Quran on your phone through a Quran app
- Donate to charity
- Feed a fasting person
- Visit the sick or elderly
- Cook for or feed the homeless
- Make Zhikr- SubhanAllah, Alhumdilah, Allahu Akbar
- Make lots of dua!
- Do other good deeds, like volunteer in the community, give islamic reminders, help your family, etc
I also created a YouTube Video about this topic here: https://www.youtube.com/
May Allah help us all benefit during Ramadan even if we are on our periods!
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