Islam makes a clear distinction between ḥayḍ (menstrual bleeding) and istiḥāḍah (irregular or non-menstrual bleeding). If the bleeding is istiḥāḍah, even if it is very heavy, the rulings of menstruation do not apply. This means that prayer, fasting, and other acts of worship remain obligatory. Fāṭimah bint Abī Ḥubaysh (may Allah be pleased with her)…
Though it is a common feature of masajid that they separate men and women, it is not a necessity to have a physical barrier between men and women during congregational (jamāʿah) prayer or in the mosque generally. It is important to clarify this point, as not all mosques have the space to create separate men…
The position of women during salah in the Hanafi Madhhab In the Hanafi school of thought, the manner in which a woman performs salah differs in several key ways from that of a man. It differentiates between the prayer posture of men and women based on modesty and humility. 1. Standing (Qiyām) A woman…
A woman who has had a miscarriage falls into one of two cases: 1. The first is if the foetus was fully formed or its creation was clearly visible, such as its hands, feet, or other features. In this case, the woman is considered in the post-partum period (nifas). This is the opinion of the…
The essential components of a nikkah In order for a nikkah (the Islamic marriage contract) to be valid, certain elements are required: Consent of both parties Mutual Agreement: Both the bride and groom must agree to the marriage willingly and without any coercion. Their consent is crucial for the validity of the nikkah. Ijab and…
Medical scans, such as MRIs, CT scans, or X-rays may require the removal of hijab. This can be a sensitive issue for many Muslim women who wish to maintain their modesty. Medical scans often require patients to remove any clothing or accessories that might interfere with the imaging process. For many Muslim women, the thought…
Can women go to the mosque during their period? The question of whether women can attend the mosque during their menstrual periods is a topic of discussion among scholars. Different schools of thought have varying perspectives on this matter, and understanding these can help provide clarity on the issue. The Islamic perspective on menstruation In…
In general, the issue of whether menstruating women can visit the mosque is subject to varying interpretations among different scholars and schools of thought. In a nutshell, there are two primary perspectives on this matter: Prohibition View: Some scholars and traditional schools of thought, such as the Hanafi and Hanbali schools, maintain that menstruating women…
The topic of inspirational women in Islam undoubtedly begins with our beloved mother and remarkable figure of Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her). All the blessings we have from the message of the Prophet (peace be upon him) owe half their share to her, as she was his support. Her love and trust in…
The widespread exclusion of women from mosques There is a very strong and prevalent view that a woman’s place is in the home, and also by extension that her place to pray is in the home. Consequently, women are barred from entering many mosques in UK and in other parts of the world. Quite often…
A woman’s mahram is a man to whom she is related by blood or cannot marry: Father, grandfather, great-grandfathers. Sons, grandsons, great-grandsons. Brothers and half-brothers (brother with whom one shares one parent). Milk brother (brother who was breastfed by one’s mother) Nephews. Paternal and maternal uncles. Father in law Related posts What beauty treatments are…
Should the menopause be taboo or not? The topic of menopause has been taboo for centuries and particularly within culture, it is not a topic that one likes to discuss publicly. Yet the Quran never shies away from uncomfortable or embarrassing topics, rather it broaches them in a positive way. We certainly need more awareness…
Carry the flag of truth When a couple gets married, it shows that a new generation is coming forward to carry the flag inshAllah ta’ala – the flag of leadership, the flag of carrying the truth, be beacons of light and knowledge, truthfulness and goodness in society. You waited for this very moment for a…
Are feet part of a woman’s awrah? There are two opinions on this. The Maliki and Shafi schools of thought consider it is necessary for a woman to cover her feet. Some say the top part, but not the bottom part, are part of a woman’s awrah. However among some scholars in the Hanafi school…
During his life in Makkah, in the early years after the revelation, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) began spreading the basic concepts of Islam, but as he (peace be on him) and his followers were met with hostility, discrimination and persecution, those 13 years were characterised by survival – at a personal level…