Off-Salah isn’t Off-Ramadhan (To the menstruating sister during Ramadhan)

i wrote this Article last Ramadhan but i didnt publish it. And since then, it’s being lying in my folder. it’s basically about the activities a muslimah should engage in during Ramadhan while she is on her period. many ladies actually think not being able to pray exempts them from during reward earning activities during Ramadhan.

In sha Allah, this post is to enlighten the womenfolk and help set straight the misconception as regards the religious activities to be engaged in while fasting.

I hope that this benefits everyone.

Zainab, reciting a verse of the Quran walked in quietly. She expected to meet no one at home as everyone in the quest to finishing the recitation of the Quran in the first 10 days of Ramadan must have gone to the masjid. Contrary to what she presumed, she did meet someone in the house. Ruqayyah!
Ruqayyah was lying on the sofa watching TV. While everyone thought they barely had any time to spare for un-necessary activities, Ruqayyah was calmly watching “I hate Love Stories”, an Indian film, in the afternoon of Ramadan. Finding this eccentric, zainab couldn’t help but ask…
“Zainab: do you realize it’s Ramadan? You have to fast not only with your taste buds on strike but also with every organ of your body, which vividly include your eyes and ears. Why should you waste your time watching movies?
Ruqayyah: Subhanallah zainab! I am off salah. There is no act of worship that I can engage in right now and besides it’s just a movie. In fact, I have planned to watch at least 5 movies before I finish menstruating in sha Allah!”
In sha Allah! I hope you took note of that word. The truth is this is a perfect example of how we spend our menstruating days during the month of Ramadan. If it’s not movies then it’s about music! May Allah protect us all.
70% of ladies during menstruation see themselves as been free from all acts of worship and they spend the whole day doing things that are imperceptibly rewarding. Ramadan is a month in which the Quran should be the most conspicious item in virtually every home. There is a distinct moral levitation and a calm atmosphere that usually envelop the whole environment. It is a month of virtue which spares no time for frivolities. In other words, there are numerous acts of worship a menstruating woman can and should engage in during Ramadan.

At each salah time, if a menstruating woman performs wuduu, sits and makes Dhikr and as well perform tasbih (Subhanallah, Lailaha illallah etc) for as long as it usually take her to perform Salah, she will be given as many rewards as she will get if she had performed Salah in the best manner. Listening to the Quran is also permitted as it is the perfume for the soul, the calmer of the heart and the food for the spirit. Allah says in Quran 39verse 17 – 18 “so give good news to my slaves, those who listen to the word and then follow the best of it.” With this, listening to the Quran is prescribed for menstruating women.
In ibn kathir’s tafsir of suratul a’raf verse 179, “the similitude of the one who memorizes the Qur’an but does not act in accordance to it is like a donkey which carries a load of books but does not understand what it entail.” The menstrual period is indeed an opportunity to take time and reflect upon the Quran, just like the sahabahs used to do.
Mu’adh bn Jabal (RA) said the prophet of Allah (SAW) said “the people of paradise will not regret anything except one thing alone, the hour that passed them by, which they made no remembrance of Allah.” Narrated by Bayhaqi bn Shu’ab alimran (1:392 512-513). This is proof that a menstruating woman, day and night is permitted to make plenty of dhikr. We should set for ourselves daily targets during our menses, to do as much dhikr as possible throughout the day; at work, while cooking, shopping and even while relaxing. We should ensure we always remember Allah with our tongue as well as our Hearts. Moreover, the highest ranks in Jannah are for those who remember Allah the most.
Also, be of best manners, character and conduct. The Rasul said “the best loved by me and the nearest to me in the seats on the day of resurrection are those who have the best manners and conducts amongst you, who are intimate, are on good terms with others and are humble. And the most hated by me, who will be on the farthest seats from me are those who are the talkative and arrogant.” Tirmidhi.
It is important that a menstruating lady increase in giving out charity, as it eliminates sins and relinquishes one from Hell. In a narration, the Rasul (SAW) said: “charity wipes out sins as water extinguishes fire.” In another narration he (SAW) also said: “Righteous deeds protect a person from an evil end; a charity spent in secret extinguishes Allah’s wrath; and maintaining good ties of kinship increase one’s lifespan (Tabaran). Remember! Charity doesn’t necessarily mean giving out money or material things. Removing harmful objects from people’s way, providing for one’s family, spreading the message of Al-Islam via texts, facebook updates, tweets or thought provoking pictures on instagram are also acts of charity.
In conclusion, a woman on her menses must never feel that she is unable to gain the blessings and rewards of the month of Ramadan. There is virtually nothing stopping her from gaining immense reward equal to that of a man. All that is required of her is effort. Effort throughout Ramadan, and with the belief that Allah will accept all her supplication. On the inquiry of Aisha (RA), Rasul recommended that we should say “Allahuma innaka afuwun affuwun tuhibul afwa fa ‘fu anee – Oh Allah, you are pardoning and you love to pardon, so pardon me.” May Allah in His infinite mercy pardon us all and enable us gain the best of rewards in this blessed month. Amin.

🙂 Have A Blessed Ramadhan

Nana Aisha Harun. (Bee)