Menstruating women are among those who are not allowed to fast. However, there are a number of practices in Ramadan that menstruating women can do to remain blessed in this holy month.
Fiqh scholar Sayyid Sabiq says in his Fiqh Sunnah that a menstruating woman who is not able to fast during Ramadan must make up for the fast she missed during her period. If she insists on fasting, Sayyid Sabiq said, her fast will be meaningless or invalid.
Deeds for menstruating women
Although menstruating women cannot fast, they can still do various other actions. Summarizing the work of Himatu Mardiah Rosana in the book Ibadah Penuh Berkah Ketika Haid dan Nifas dan buku Do’a dan Amalan Istimewa Ketika Datang Bulan, here are the following actions that can be done by menstruating women during Ramadan.
- Dhikr and Pray to Ask Allah SWT for Forgiveness
In this case specifically the Prophet SAW recommended to make istighfar, dhikr and pray for forgiveness to Allah SWT. One of the dhikr recitations that can be done in istiqomahan is the one taught by the Prophet Muhammad in his hadith
From Abu Hurairah RA, said that Rasulullah SAW said,
“There are two sentences that are light on the tongue, heavy on the scales, and favored by Arrahman, Subhanallah, Wabihamdihi, and Subhaanallahul ‘azhiim.” (HR Bukhari)
It is also explained that a menstruating woman can make more du’aa’s in Ramadan, both Ma’tsur (narrated) du’aa’s and Mashnu (self-made) du’aa’s.
- Give Charity
Charity is also one of the practices that can be done by menstruating women. From Abdullah bin Umar from Rasulullah SAW, that he said,
“O women! Give your charity and make istighfar. Because, I see that women are the most inhabitants of hell.” (HR Muslim)
- Giving Food to the People Who Break the Fast
For people who entertain others to break their fast, they will get the same reward as the fasting person gets without any loss of reward.
This is based on the hadith narrated from Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani, who said, Rasulullah SAW said
“Whoever feeds the fasting person, he gets like the reward of the fasting person without any loss of the fasting person’s reward.” (HR At-Tirmidhi)
- Making the fasting person’s work easier
It is explained that it is highly recommended for menstruating and postpartum women to serve those who are fasting. Because, serving people who are fasting and helping them with their work or hardship can make them as rewarded as those who are fasting.
In this case the Prophet SAW said,
“Whoever can show a kindness then he will get a reward like the one who did it.” (HR Muslim)
- Learning Knowledge to Achieve Higher Obedience to Allah SWT
Learning knowledge is another good deed that menstruating women can do during Ramadan. This can be done by attending knowledge gatherings or studying the contents in books.
- Doing Ma’ruf Nahi Munkar
The next good deed is that menstruating women can encourage others to do good and avoid sin. So, if a menstruating woman wakes others up for suhoor and fasting, she will get the same reward as the one who suhoor and fasts.
It is explained in the book that if a menstruating woman wakes up others to perform the Fajr prayer, she will receive the same reward as the Fajr prayer. Similarly, if a menstruating woman encourages others to recite the Qur’an, learn knowledge, stay in touch, give charity, etc., she will be rewarded in the same way as the one who performs these good deeds.
- Performing various acts of obedience while minimizing disobedience
In the same book, it is also explained that for women who enter the month of Ramadan while menstruating, or who fast during Ramadan and then menstruate, there is no need to be sad because of their menstruation. This is because menstruation is something that has been decided by Allah SWT for women.
Mentioned in a narration, the Prophet SAW once comforted Aisyah RA who was sad because she had menstruation while she had not had time to perform the Hajj rituals.
From Aisha RA that the Prophet SAW once met her when she was in Sarif before entering Makkah, he found her crying because of her period. Then he asked: “Why, are you menstruating?” Aisha replied: “Yes” The Prophet said: “Indeed this has been decided by Allah upon the women of the children of Adam, do what is customary in Hajj, but you should not circumambulate the Ka’bah.” (HR Bukhari)
- Reciting Sholawat
Another practice that menstruating women can do during Ramadan is to recite sholawat. Allah SWT says in surah AL Ahzab verse 56,
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ وَمَلٰۤىِٕكَتَهٗ يُصَلُّوْنَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّۗ يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا صَلُّوْا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوْا تَسْلِيْمً
Meaning:
“ Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe! Glorify the Prophet and greet him with respect.”
According to a narration, people who say a lot of sholawat will bring the Prophet’s intercession. As he said,
أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِى يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَكْثَرُهُمْ عَلَىَّ صَلاَةً
Meaning:
“The most deserving of my peace on the Day of Judgment is the one who sends the most blessings upon me.” (HR Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i) [Fahdina Dean]
Editor: Syukron Ma’mun
