Can Women Make Du`a During Menses?

Can you make Du`a on your period?

Shaykh Ibn Baz (my Allah have mercy on him) was asked: Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to recite the Du`as of the Day of `Arafah despite the fact that they include verses from the Quran?

Answer:

“There is nothing wrong with a woman who is menstruating or bleeding after childbirth reciting Du`as that are prescribed for the rituals of Hajj . Also, according to the correct opinion, there is nothing wrong with them reading the Quran as well, because there is no clear authentic report that states that the woman who is menstruating or bleeding after childbirth should not read the Quran. 

It was reported that the man who is in a state of impurity following sexual activity, in particular, should not read the Quran whilst he is Junub, because of the Hadith of `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). 

With regard to the woman who is menstruating or bleeding after childbirth there is the Hadith of Ibn `Umar: “The menstruating woman and the man who is Junub should not read Quran” – but it is inauthentic, because the Hadith was reported by Isma`il ibn `Ayyash from the Hijaziyin, and he is weak in his reports from them. But she should read without touching the Mus-haf (copy of the Qur’an in Arabic), from memory. 

In the case of the man who is Junub, he should not recite the Quran at all, either from memory or from the Mus-haf, until he has done Ghusl. The difference between them is that the timespan for the one who is Junub is very short, he can do Ghusl straightaway, as soon as he finishes having intercourse with his wife. He is not junub for long, and it is up to him when he wants to do Ghusl; if he cannot find water, he can do Tayammum (“dry ablution” using dust etc.) and pray and read the Quran. 

But the woman who is menstruating or bleeding after childbirth has no control over her situation – it rests with Allah, may He be glorified. The period lasts for a number of days and Nifas (post-natal bleeding) is the same. 

So it is permissible for them to recite Quran so that they do not forget it and so that they do not miss out on the blessings of reciting Quran and learning the rules of Shari`ah from the Book of Allah. If that is the case, then it should certainly be permissible for them to read books containing Du`as that are a mixture of verses and Hadiths, etc… this is the more correct of the two opinions of the scholars, may Allah have mercy on them.” (Fatawa Islamiyyah, 1/239)

Can you read Tafsir books on your period?

The following question was also mentioned:

I read some Tafsirs (Quranic commentaries) when I am not tahir (ritually pure), such as during my monthly period. Is there any sin on me for doing that? Will I be committing a sin if I do that?

Answer:

“There is no sin on the woman who is menstruating or bleeding after childbirth if she reads books of Tafsir or even if she reads Quran without touching the Mus-haf, according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions. 

As for the man who is Junub, he should not read Quran at all until he has done Ghusl, but he can read books of Tafsir and Hadith etc., without reading whatever they contain of verses, because of the report that nothing would stop the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) from reading Quran except janabah (major impurity). According to a Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad with a good chain of transmission, he said: “As for the man who is Junub, he should not read even one verse.”

For more details, please refer to the following answers: 69758 , 70438 , 60213 , 26753 , and 33649 .

And Allah knows best.