Menstruation and Missed Prayers
Obligation, Exemption, and Mercy
Islam is complete and balanced. It does not burden believers with obligations beyond their capacity. One of the clearest examples of this mercy is the ruling on menstruation. While women are exempt from prayer during their period, they are not commanded to make up the missed prayers afterward. To impose such a requirement, making up every missed prayer, is a Bidʿah, an innovation unknown to the Prophet ﷺ, his Companions, and the generations that followed them.
This exemption is not neglect. It is obedience, grounded in revelation and consensus, and it reflects divine mercy and wisdom.
| Menstruation and Missed Prayers — Critical Overview | |
|---|---|
| Practice | Women making up prayers missed during menstruation. |
| Islamic ruling | This is a Bidʿah. Women are exempt from prayer during menstruation and are not required to make them up afterward, by explicit Sunnah and scholarly consensus. |
| When it started | Not known in the time of the Prophet ﷺ or Companions. Introduced later by sects such as the Haruriyyah (Khawarij). |
| Where it spread | Restricted to deviant groups, the mainstream Ummah unanimously rejected it. |
| Practices associated with it |
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| Similarities in other religions (Muslims likely copied from) |
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Prophetic Guidance
A woman once asked ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) why women make up fasts but not prayers. She replied:
“We used to menstruate during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and we were commanded to make up the fasts but were not commanded to make up the prayers.”
Sahih Muslim 335c
Scholarly Consensus
– Imam al-Tirmidhi: “The people of knowledge acted upon this, and we do not know of any disagreement.” Sunan al-Tirmidhi 787
– Imam al-Nawawi: “This ruling is unanimously accepted by the Ummah.” Sharh Sahih Muslim
– Imam al-Quduri: “Menstruation waives prayer and prohibits fasting. She makes up fasting but not prayer.” al-Mukhtasar
The Wisdom Behind the Ruling
- Frequency: Five daily prayers would make qadha overwhelming.
- Fasting: Limited to one month, making it manageable to make up.
- Mercy: A divine exemption reflecting Allah’s ease in religion (Qur’an 2:185).
- Balance: Obedience sometimes means restraint, not constant action.
Common Misconceptions
- “If fasting is made up, why not prayer?”
Because the Prophet ﷺ commanded one and exempted the other. Fasts are few; prayers are many. - “Does missing prayer make women less devout?”
No. Refraining is obedience, just as performing is. - “Can women pray if they feel able?”
No. Worship follows law, not personal feelings. - “Is this unfair?”
No. It is divine wisdom, balancing capacity, and devotion.
Contemporary Reflections
In cultures where menstruation is stigmatized, Islam’s approach is unique: it grants exemption without shame. Women are honored by being relieved of prayer during this time, not burdened with endless makeup prayers. This pause is part of obedience and mercy, not deficiency.
Conclusion
Requiring women to make up missed prayers during menstruation is a Bidʿah, rejected by consensus. The Sunnah is clear: fasting is made up, prayer is not. This exemption reflects Allah’s mercy and prevents hardship. True devotion lies in following the Prophet’s ﷺ guidance, not innovating beyond it.
References
Primary Sources
Qur’an
- Al-Baqarah 2:185: Allah intends ease, not hardship.
Hadith
- Sahih Muslim 335c : Aisha: make up fasts, not prayers.
- Sunan al-Tirmidhi 787:Consensus that no makeup for prayers.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 321: No makeup of prayers during menstruation.
Secondary Sources
- Imam al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim: Consensus on no qadha of prayers.
- Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni: Fasts are made up, prayers are waived.
- Imam al-Quduri, al-Mukhtasar: Detailed fiqh ruling on menstruation.