Should a menstruating woman complete the prayer (abandoned during the menstrual period)? 'A'isha said: Are you a Hurariya? The wives of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) have had their monthly courses, (but) did he order them to make compensation (for the abandoned prayers)? Muhammad b. Ja'far said: (Compensation) denotes their completion.
The Book of Menstruation - Sahih Muslim 335 b
This narration from the Mother of the Believers 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) establishes a fundamental principle in Islamic jurisprudence regarding menstruating women and prayer obligations. When asked whether a woman should complete prayers missed during menstruation, she responded with rhetorical astonishment: "Are you a Hurariya?" - referring to the Khawarij sect known for extreme views.
Scholarly Commentary
The profound wisdom in 'A'isha's response lies in her reference to the practice during the Prophet's lifetime. She affirms that the wives of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) experienced menstruation, yet he never commanded them to compensate for missed prayers. This establishes that menstrual blood constitutes a legitimate shar'i excuse ('udhr shar'i) that completely exempts women from prayer obligations during its duration.
The clarification by Muhammad ibn Ja'far that "compensation denotes their completion" emphasizes that the question referred to making up missed prayers, not merely performing them late. This ruling is based on the divine wisdom that Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity, and the physiological state of menstruation represents a genuine hardship.
Juridical Implications
This hadith forms the foundation for the consensus among all four Sunni madhahib that women are not required to make up prayers missed during menstruation or post-natal bleeding. The obligation is lifted entirely during these periods, and reinstated only upon purification. This ruling reflects the mercy and practicality of Islamic law, acknowledging women's natural cycles without imposing undue religious burdens.