We set out with the Prophet (ﷺ) for Hajj and when we reached Sarif I got my menses. When the Prophet (ﷺ) came to me, I was weeping. He asked, "Why are you weeping?" I said, "I wish if I had not performed Hajj this year." He asked, "May be that you got your menses?" I replied, "Yes." He then said, "This is the thing which Allah has ordained for all the daughters of Adam. So do what all the pilgrims do except that you do not perform the Tawaf round the Ka`ba till you are clean."
Exegesis of Hadith on Menstruation During Pilgrimage
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 305, transmitted by the Mother of the Believers 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her), provides foundational guidance regarding the rulings of menstruation during the sacred rites of Hajj. The wisdom of Islamic jurisprudence manifests clearly in this prophetic teaching.
Contextual Analysis
The incident occurred at Sarif, approximately nine miles from Mecca, during the Farewell Pilgrimage. 'A'isha's weeping demonstrates the early Muslim women's earnest desire to complete all rites of worship perfectly. The Prophet's gentle inquiry reflects his compassionate understanding of female concerns.
Her statement "I wish if I had not performed Hajj this year" indicates her misconception that menstruation invalidated her pilgrimage. This provides the occasion for divine guidance through the Prophet's teaching.
Juridical Rulings Derived
Menstruation does not invalidate Hajj or Umrah. The pilgrim continues all rites except those specifically prohibited due to ritual impurity.
Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka'ba) requires ritual purity (taharah). Menstruating women must postpone Tawaf until purification.
All other pilgrimage rites—standing at 'Arafat, staying at Muzdalifah, stoning the jamarat, and Sa'i between Safa and Marwa—remain obligatory regardless of menstrual state.
The phrase "daughters of Adam" emphasizes this is a natural disposition (fitrah) for all women, not a punishment or deficiency.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam al-Nawawi comments: "This hadith establishes that menstruation does not prevent any Hajj rites except Tawaf, which requires purity like prayer."
Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani states: "The Prophet's reassurance demonstrates Islam's accommodation of natural biological processes within worship, removing unnecessary hardship."
The ruling applies by analogy to women in postnatal bleeding (nifas), as both states share the same legal restrictions regarding acts of worship.