We set out with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) shortly before the appearance of the new moon of Dhi-l-Hijja and he said, "Whoever wants to assume Ihram for `Umra may do so, and whoever wants to assume Ihram for Hajj may do so. Had not I brought the Hadi with me, I would have assumed Ihram for `Umra." Some of the people assumed Ihram for `Umra while others for Hajj. I was amongst those who had assumed Ihram for `Umra. I got my menses before entering Mecca, and was menstruating till the day of `Arafat. I complained to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about it, he said, "Abandon your `Umra, undo and comb your hair, and assume Ihram for Hajj." So, I did that accordingly. When it was the night of Hasba (day of departure from Mina), the Prophet (ﷺ) sent `Abdur Rahman with me to at-Tan`im. The sub-narrator adds: He (`Abdur-Rahman) let her ride behind him. And she assumed Ihram for `Umra in lieu of the abandoned one. Aisha completed her Hajj and `Umra, and no Hadi, Sadaqa (charity), or fasting was obligatory for her.
Context and Significance
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 1786 demonstrates the flexibility and wisdom in Islamic jurisprudence regarding women's pilgrimage rituals during menstruation.
The Prophet's guidance to Aisha shows how religious obligations adapt to natural biological circumstances without imposing undue hardship.
Scholarly Commentary on Ihram Options
The Prophet's offer of three options for Ihram reflects the principle of ease in worship: Hajj al-Qiran (combined), Hajj al-Ifrad (Hajj only), or Hajj al-Tamattu' (Umrah followed by Hajj).
His statement about bringing the Hadi indicates that sacrificial animals determine which type of pilgrimage one performs.
Menstruation and Pilgrimage Rulings
Aisha's situation illustrates that menstruating women may perform all Hajj rites except Tawaf, which requires ritual purity.
The Prophet's instruction to convert her Umrah to Hajj shows the priority of completing obligatory acts over recommended ones.
Completion of Missed Umrah
Sending Aisha to at-Tan'im for Umrah after Hajj demonstrates the importance of fulfilling vowed acts of worship.
The absence of required expiation indicates that circumstances beyond one's control don't necessitate compensatory acts.
Jurisprudential Principles
This hadith establishes that valid excuses remove religious obligations without requiring compensation.
It shows the integration of different pilgrimage types and how one may substitute for another when necessary.