Q- A woman said, “I went to make Hajj and my menses began.  I was too shy to inform anyone, so I entered the mosque, made formal prayer, followed by tawaaf and sa’yi.”  She then asked,  “What is my penalty, considering that my menses came after post-natal bleeding had ended”?  

A- It is not permissible for a woman to make formal prayer in Makkah if she is menstruating or experiencing post-natal bleeding, even if she is in her own country.  Evidence for this view is based on the Prophet’s statement, “Is it not that when she menstruates she does not make formal prayer or fast”.  Muslims unanimously hold the position that menstruating women are not supposed to fast or do formal prayer.  This woman should repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness for what she did.  

As for her tawaaf while menstruating, it was invalid.  Her sa’yi, on the other hand, was valid based on the most correct opinion which permits the performance of sa’yi before tawaaf in Hajj.  Therefore, she is required to redo her tawaff in a state of purity, because Tawaaf al-Ifaadah is a major pillar or Hajj, without which the second release from the state of ihraam is incomplete.  Consequently, this woman should not have sexual relations with her husband, if she is married, until she makes the tawaaf.  If she is unmarried, she cannot get married until she makes the tawaaf, and Allah knows best.

Q- What is the woman whose menses began on the day of Arafat supposed to do?  

A- She should continue her Hajj, doing everything everyone else does except tawaaf, which should only be done after her menses has ended.    

Q- If a woman began her periods after completing the rite of stoning Jamrah al-Aqabah, but before making Tawaaf al-Ifaadah, what should she do if she has to return home with her husband and will be unable to come back?  

A- If she is really unable to return, she should wear a sanitary napkin, make the tawaaf and complete the remaining rites of Hajj.  

Q- Is it permissible for a woman who fears that her menses will come during Hajj to use pills which prevent or delay her menses only during the Hajj period?

A- It is permissible for a woman to use pills, which prevent menses during Hajj after she has confirmed the safety of their usage from a gynecologist.  She may also do so during Ramadaan in order to complete the fast along with the rest of the community.