Using absorbent in woman's underwear during prayer

3-2-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

I'd like to know something about making Salah. This girl told me that a woman must have a piece of cotton in her underwear when she makes Salah, in case anything will come from the private parts. She also told me that the Salah is not accepted if you don't do this. Is this true?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

A woman is not obliged to use an absorbent such as a piece of cotton or anything else in her underwear during prayer. You have been informed incorrectly. However she has to take these precautions if she suffers from prolonged bleeding or any continuous vaginal discharge; in this case she has to pad that place with a cloth or the like.
The same ruling also applies to a man if he suffers from incontinence of urine or the like. There is no difference between a man and a woman regarding this matter.
Allah knows best.