Controlling menstruation in Ramadan: Devotion or self affliction

Allah has created woman such that she plays the major role in the perpetuation of the human race. Thus, the primary reproductive organs of a woman are her ovaries. When a girl is born, her ovaries contain about 400,000 immature eggs (which are known as ova). At puberty, the eggs start maturing, usually one ovum […]

Allah has created woman such that she plays the major role in the perpetuation of the human race. Thus, the primary reproductive organs of a woman are her ovaries.

When a girl is born, her ovaries contain about 400,000 immature eggs (which are known as ova). At puberty, the eggs start maturing, usually one ovum each month. 

And after maturing, it finds its way from the ovary to the fallopian tube and ends up in the womb.

Meanwhile the womb (while preparing for the possible arrival of a fertilized egg) develops a thick, soft, velvety lining which is made up mostly of blood vessels. If an egg is fertilized, it will be embedded in the endometrium (i.e. the lining of the womb) and continues its growth. But if no egg is fertilized, the endometrium is no longer needed and is shed or discarded. And this process of discarding the endometrium is known as menstruation.

Thus, menstruation, also known as a period or monthly flow, is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. 

However menses may occasionally start for girls as young as eight years old and still be considered normal. 

The typical length of time between the first day of one period and the first day of the next is 21 to 45 days in young women, and 21 to 31 days in adults (an average of 28 days). 

Bleeding usually lasts around 2 to 7 days. Menstruation stops occurring after menopause, which usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. Menstruation also stops during pregnancy and typically does not resume during the initial months of breastfeeding.

From this biological explanation it is clear that menstruation is neither “a curse” nor a result of the so-called original sin of Eve, rather it is a very normal biological process that ensures the perpetuation of the human race.

Of course, some women feel uncomfortable a few days before and during menstruation. This discomfort is caused by some of the biological changes which take place in the woman’s body. 

Hence, in relation to Islam, menstruation marks the commencement of imposition of all compulsory Islamic activities including fasting, wherein a book of account containing all the deeds of the son of Adam are recorded.

Fasting is an ordained religious instruction and the third pillar of Islam, which every adult, sane, healthy and not travelling male or female Muslim must observe.

However, among the established rulings in Islamic law is that a Muslim woman must break her fast in Ramadan when she gets her monthly period due to the exhaustion and physiological disturbances associated with menstruation. 

For this reason, it is obligatory for a menstruating woman not to fast—it is a mercy from Allah Almighty.

Therefore, menstruating women are required to eat and drink when in their menstrual period; and by so doing, no sin or blame is on them, because they will later make up the missed fast days; as narrated by Aisha (R.A), the Mother of the Believers; “When we were with the Prophet (pbuh) , we used to experience menstruation and were commanded to make up the (missed) fast days but not prayers.”

The above hadith envisages a situation where a woman finds herself menstruating and not in a situation where a woman envisions the coming of her menstrual period and takes steps to delay or stop it in order to fast in the month of Ramadan, as there was no such incident of taking pills that delay or stop menstruation at that time. Therefore, there is no direct textual authority from the Qur’an or the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) prohibiting such practice, but such prohibition is based on the analogical deductions of the Muslim scholars.

On this therefore, opinions have been proffered by the scholars on whether a woman is allowed to take a pill/medicine or any substance that may either delay, suspend or stop her menstruation to enable her fast along with other Muslims in the month of Ramadan without putting it off till later.

Hence, divergent opinions (and three proponents) abound; the proponents of anti-pills to enable fasting while menstruating; those who attach conditions to such practice; and the group that sees nothing wrong with taking pills to regulate menstruation.

Among the first category of scholars is Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Shalih al Uthaymeen, who in his fatwa says it is alright for a woman to use some medicine that might stop her period temporarily, if it is not harmful for her, and with the permission of her husband. 

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen knows such medicine is harmful for women because the menstrual blood is supposed to be expelled naturally. If it is prevented from gushing out in time, then it might be harmful to the woman’s body. Moreover, such medicine causes the women’s period to be irregular, thus creating confusion and doubt about whether they are already clean or not, at the time of praying or having sexual intercourse with their husband. 

He, therefore concluded that “I do not say that it is unlawful, but I’m not suggesting it. The women should accept their fate that Allah has ordained for them.”

 “It is said that the Prophet (peace and prayer of Allah be upon him) once met Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) crying at the time of the farewell hajj. At that time, ‘Aisha (RA) had already worn the ihram clothes. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) asked her: “What’s wrong with you, ‘Aisha? Are you menstruating?’”

“Aisha (RA) answered, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’”

“The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) advised her, ‘That is something that Allah has ordained for the women.’”

Among the second category of scholars is Dr. Rif`at Fawzi, former professor of Shari`ah at Cairo University, who sees nothing wrong if a woman takes such pills during Ramadan in order to fast the whole blessed month without interruption. 

But while a woman is allowed to do so, it should be guided by the conditions that taking such pills must not result in putting her life and health at risk; and before taking such medication, to seek the advice of a reliable physician.

These proponents conclude that there is no legal objection to taking medicine or pills to delay menstruation and allowing a woman to complete the fast of Ramadan without any interruption. 

The preservation of health is one of the exigencies of the objectives of Islamic law.

Late Sheikh Sayyed Mutawalli Ad-Darsh, former head of the UK Shari`ah Council, in his fatwa states; “The majority of Muslim scholars, as far as I know, do not consider such an act as being tantamount to tampering with nature. Rather, it is considered an act of regulation with the aim of allowing women who would rather avoid their periods in order to participate with people in fasting Ramadan and performing Hajj at ease. There is nothing wrong with women using pills or available resources to block menstruation and have chance to perform their acts of worship during such times.”

In conclusion therefore, Islamic tenets and teachings are more concerned with preserving life, physical, mental and psychological health of its entire adherents male and female alike. 

Relatively trustworthy doctors have said that these pills cause harm to the uterus and may cause deformity in the foetus if a woman should conceive.

Thus, Allah says in the Qur’an 5:6 ,“Now surely you will appreciate the words of Allah which say, ‘Allah does not desire to make any impediment for you; He only desires to purify you, and that He may complete His blessings upon you; happily you will be thankful (to Him)’.”

Finally a piece of advice to fellow sisters in Islam is to be patient and seek for Allah’s rewards when they must leave prayer and fasting due to their period; if her period comes and she cannot pray or fast, this is beyond her control, it is the decree of Allah.

 Zainab Idris Abdullahi & Sakeenah Saleh Joji is Level 300 Student, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri