We raised our voices in talbiyah for Hajj. When we reached Sarif, I menstruated. The Messenger of Allah (SWAS) came upon me while I was weeping. He asked, why are your weeping, Ai’shah? I replied, I menstruated. Would that I had not come out for performing Hajj. He said : Glory be to Allah, this is a thing prescribed by Allah on the daughters of Adam. He said perform all the rites of Hajj but do not go round the House (the Ka’bah). When we entered Makkah, the Messenger of Allah (SWAS) said he who desires to make (his Hajj) an `Umrah may do so, except those who have sacrificial animals with them. The Messenger of Allah (SWAS) sacrificed a cow on behalf of his wives on the day of sacrifice. When the night of al-Batha came, and Ai’shah was purified she said to the Messenger of Allah (SWAS) my fellow female pilgrims will return after performing Hajj and `Umrah and I shall return after performing only Hajj? He therefore, ordered `Abd al-Rahman bin Abu Bakr who took her to al-Ta’nim. She uttered there talbiyah for `Umrah.
The Rites of Hajj (Kitab Al-Manasik Wa'l-Hajj) - Sunan Abi Dawud 1782
This narration from A'ishah (RA) addresses important rulings concerning women's menstruation during pilgrimage and the flexibility of Hajj rituals.
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet's (SWAS) response demonstrates that menstruation is a natural decree from Allah and does not invalidate one's Hajj intention. The pilgrim continues all rites except tawaf, which requires ritual purity.
The permission to convert Hajj to Umrah (tamattu') shows the Shariah's consideration for circumstances, though those with sacrificial animals must complete their original intention.
The Prophet's sacrifice on behalf of his wives illustrates that one may perform hady (sacrifice) for others, strengthening family bonds in worship.
A'ishah's concern about returning without Umrah highlights the spiritual value of completing both pilgrimages, leading the Prophet to arrange for her to perform Umrah from Tan'im, establishing this as a valid practice for similar situations.
Legal Rulings Derived
Menstruating women complete all Hajj rites except tawaf and sa'i between Safa and Marwa if connected to tawaf.
Conversion from Hajj to Umrah is permissible before assuming ihram for Hajj, except for those with sacrificial animals.
One may perform sacrifice on behalf of others, earning reward for both.
Those unable to complete rites due to valid reasons may make them up later from outside the Haram boundaries.