What Does the Hadith Mean About a Menstruating Woman Retrieving a Mat from the Mosque?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
What do scholars say about the hadith in which the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) told a menstruating woman to retrieve a mat from the mosque? Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to enter a mosque for such a purpose?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
‘Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to me: Get me the mat from the mosque. I said: I am menstruating. Upon this, he remarked: Your menstruation is not in your hands. [Muslim; Abu Dawud]
‘Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) believed she was not permitted to enter the mosque while menstruating; she also thought she could not reach her hands into it. In response, the Prophet said that menstruation is not in one’s hands.
Thus, a menstruating woman is allowed to extend her hand into the masjid from inside when necessary. [Saharanpuri, Badhl al-Majhud Fi Halli Sharh Abi Dawud]
Please read the valuable answers and links below for a detailed understanding of the issue. Insha’Allah, they will provide you with guidance and direction.
Related
- Menstruation: A Comprehensive Reader
- Entering a mosque during menses – SeekersGuidance
- Can a Woman on Her Period Go to a Masjid That Isn’t…(video)
- Can Menstruating Women Go to the Masjid for Islamic Courses?
- Can a Woman Do These Acts of Worship during Her Menses? Shafi‘i
- Entering A Mosque During Menses (Shafi‘i)
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
