Menstruating Woman’s Umrah: Rulings and Guidance

Complete Guide to Performing Umrah During Menstruation

If a woman intends to perform Umrah and knows that her period is about to begin, she should delay her intention until she becomes pure. However, if a woman sets out for Umrah and gets her period either at the Miqat or before, the recommended practice is for her to take a bath and then make the intention for Umrah (saying “Labbaik Umrah”). Since purity is not a condition for intention, she can continue to call out the Talbiyah from the Miqat to Makkah. Once she becomes pure in Makkah, there is no need to go to the Masjid Aisha; she can perform the ritual from her accommodation by taking a bath and then perform Umrah.

Additional points to clarify:

1. Many women are unaware of the ruling that they should not wear Ihram while menstruating. As a result, they may pass the Miqat without wearing Ihram, even though they intend to perform Umrah. Then, after becoming pure, they wear Ihram at the Masjid Aisha. This is incorrect. Anyone intending to perform Umrah or Hajj must not pass the Miqat without wearing Ihram, even if they are menstruating or in post-natal bleeding. When Asma bint Umays (RA) gave birth at Dhul-Hulayfah, the Prophet ﷺ instructed her to take a bath and then wear Ihram. Imam Nawawi (RA) used this as evidence to support the ruling for menstruating women as well.
2. A woman in menstruation should wait until she becomes pure before proceeding with the rituals, keeping herself separate from her husband during this time.
3. Some women, due to ignorance, may perform the entire Umrah while menstruating. This is incorrect, as it is prohibited to perform Tawaf while in a state of impurity, and it is not permissible to perform Tawaf without Wudu either. If a woman has completed Umrah while menstruating, she should sincerely repent to Allah and complete her Umrah correctly.
4. If a woman gets her period after reaching Makkah, she should wait until she becomes pure before performing Tawaf. If someone starts Tawaf and then menstruates, she should stop and, upon becoming pure, resume and complete her Tawaf and other obligatory rituals. If her period starts after the Tawaf or during the Sa’i, she should complete the Sa’i since purity is not required for it. Then, she should stop and wait until she is pure, after which she can perform Tawaf, the Tawaf prayer, and have her hair cut. If she does not perform the Tawaf after Sa’i, the initial Sa’i will suffice. If she has her hair cut and menstruates afterward, her Umrah is considered complete.
5. A woman in menstruation is allowed to engage in Dhikr and, according to the correct opinion, may also recite the Qur’an (without touching it) during her waiting period.
6. For women who fear getting their period while in the state of Ihram, they can make the following statement when they intend for Umrah at the Miqat: “إن حبسني حابس فمحلي حيث حبستني” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5089, Sahih Muslim: 1207). Translation: “If something prevents me, my place is where I am stopped.” This ensures that if she menstruates during her Umrah, she will not be required to offer any compensation (such as a blood sacrifice or penalty), nor will she need to complete the Umrah. She can immediately remove her Ihram.
7. Some scholars permit taking medication to delay menstruation if there are no harmful effects. However, my opinion is that it is better to rely on saying “إن حبسني حابس فمحلي حيث حبستني” for precaution.
8. If a woman comes from outside Saudi Arabia for Umrah and does not have enough time to wait or return after purification, she can proceed with Umrah while wearing a “langoti” (a cloth to avoid bleeding) and complete her Umrah. If she is within Saudi Arabia and can travel back, she should do so, purify herself, and then complete her Umrah.

When Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (RA) was asked about a menstruating woman who had not yet performed Tawaf al-Ifadah and was about to leave Saudi Arabia, with no time to wait or return, he replied: If this is the case, she can either take a needle to stop her menstrual bleeding and then perform Tawaf or wear a cloth (langoti) to prevent bleeding in the Haram and then perform Tawaf.