Hadith Text

A woman asked `Aisha, "Should I offer the prayers that which I did not offer because of menses" `Aisha said, "Are you from the Huraura' (a town in Iraq?) We were with the Prophet (ﷺ) and used to get our periods but he never ordered us to offer them (the Prayers missed during menses)." `Aisha perhaps said, "We did not offer them."

Scholarly Commentary

This hadith establishes the fundamental Islamic ruling that women are not required to make up (qada') prayers missed during menstrual periods. The consensus of classical scholars holds that menstruation constitutes a legitimate excuse (ʿudhr) that temporarily suspends the obligation of prayer.

Mother of the Believers `Aisha's response demonstrates the established practice (sunnah) during the Prophet's lifetime. Her rhetorical question "Are you from the Huraura'?" indicates this was a well-known ruling, and any contrary opinion represented an innovation.

Imam al-Nawawi comments in Sharh Sahih Muslim that this hadith provides decisive evidence that making up missed prayers due to menstruation is neither obligatory nor recommended. The wisdom behind this ruling acknowledges the physical and spiritual state of women during this period, reflecting the mercy and practicality of Islamic legislation.

Juridical Implications

This ruling applies specifically to the five daily prayers (salawat) and does not extend to fasting, which must be made up after Ramadan according to Qur'anic injunction (2:184).

The Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools unanimously agree that women in menstruation are exempt from prayer obligations without subsequent requirement for compensation.

This exemption begins with the first sight of menstrual blood and ends only after complete purification (ghusl) following the cessation of bleeding.