Women in Menstruation and What to Do on Day of Arafah

Question

What Can Women Do to Maximize Their Rewards on the Day of Arafah If They Are in Menses?

Bottom Line

Even without fasting or Salah, women in menses can earn immense reward on the Day of Arafah through dhikr, du’a, Qur’an reflection, charity, and seeking knowledge.

Quick Answer

The Day of Arafah is one of the greatest opportunities for mercy and forgiveness. While women in menses are excused from fasting and prayer, they can engage in dhikr, recite the Tahleel du’a, make personal supplications, reflect on the Qur’an, give charity, and learn beneficial knowledge all of which bring immense reward.

Key Takeaways

• Dhikr and du’a are open to all Muslims, and the best du’a is the Tahleel of Arafah
• Women can reflect on or listen to the Qur’an, give charity, and perform acts of kindness as a means of earning reward.
• Seeking knowledge and engaging in remembrance keep the day spiritually alive, even without fasting or Salah.

Detailed Answer

The Day of Arafah, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, is a day of mercy and forgiveness for all Muslims. Women in menses may not fast or perform Salah, but many other forms of worship remain open:

1. Dhikr: Recite “SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah” throughout the day Qur’an 33:41–42
2. Du’a: Make heartfelt supplications, especially the Tahleel taught by the Prophet ﷺ: La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer Tirmidhi 3585
3. Qur’an Reflection: Read from memory, listen digitally, or reflect on verses. The Qur’an guides and uplifts hearts Qur’an 17:9
4. Charity and Good Deeds: Give sadaqah, help others, and engage in kindness Muslim 2588
5. Seeking Knowledge: Listen to Islamic lectures or study beneficial knowledge, for learning is worship Ibn Majah 224

What This Means for You

Even if fasting and Salah are not possible, women can fill the Day of Arafah with remembrance, dua, the Qur’an, charity, and knowledge, earning an abundant reward and closeness to Allah.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. Al-Ahzab 33:41 42: Command to remember Allah often.
2. Ghafir 40:60: Allah promises to respond to du’a.
3. Al-Isra 17:9: The Qur’an guides to what is most just.

Hadith

4. Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3585: The best supplication is on the Day of Arafah.
5. Sahih Muslim 2588: Charity and kindness are greatly rewarded.
6. Sunan Ibn Majah 224: Seeking knowledge is worship.