Prayer and worship during the period
During menstruation women do not pray or fast. This is a mercy from Allah, not a lack of faith. Here is what applies, and which worship stays open.
وَيَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡمَحِيضِۖ قُلۡ هُوَ أَذٗى فَٱعۡتَزِلُواْ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فِي ٱلۡمَحِيضِ وَلَا تَقۡرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطۡهُرۡنَۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرۡنَ فَأۡتُوهُنَّ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ أَمَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّـٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَطَهِّرِينَ ﴿٢٢٢﴾
Wayasaloonaka ʿani almaheedi qul huwa athan faiʿtaziloo alnnisaa fee almaheedi wala taqraboohunna hatta yathurna faitha tatahharna fatoohunna min haythu amarakumu Allahu inna Allaha yuhibbu alttawwabeena wayuhibbu almutatahhireena
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves
Quran 2:222 · Surah Al-Baqara · Translation: Saheeh International · Transliteration: Tanzil.net
What applies during the period
- Prayer: not prayed, and not made up afterwards.
- Fasting: not fasted, but made up later.
- Intercourse is not allowed until after the ghusl.
- Tawaf around the Kaaba is not performed until the period has ended.
We used to be told to make up the fasts, but not to make up the prayers.
Aisha, Sahih Muslim
Which worship stays open
- Dhikr, istighfar, salawat and the morning and evening athkar
- Dua in any language and at any time
- Listening to the Quran and reflecting on it
- Charity, good character and serving others
Reciting the Quran: most scholars do not allow touching the mushaf. Reciting from memory is allowed in the Maliki school, and many contemporary scholars also allow reading from a phone or with gloves; the other schools restrict it.
When the period ends
When the bleeding has stopped, make ghusl and pray from the next prayer time. If the period ends before the end of a prayer's time, that prayer is due; many scholars also count Dhuhr when it ends during Asr, and Maghrib when it ends during Isha.
Bleeding outside the period
Bleeding outside the normal period (istihadah) does not prevent prayer or fasting: make wudu for each prayer and pray (al-Bukhari, Muslim).
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Frequently asked questions
Can I make dua and dhikr during my period?
Yes. Dua, dhikr, istighfar and blessings on the Prophet ﷺ are allowed and recommended at all times.
Do I make up the prayers I missed during my period?
No. Prayers missed during the period are not made up; only the fasts of Ramadan are.
This article was written with the help of AI. Quran verses are inserted directly from the Quran text (translation: Saheeh International); it is general information, not a religious ruling (fatwa). For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar. Found a mistake? Write to support@hadaff.de.