Is there any benefit for a menstruating woman to make Wudhu?

[ummtaalib]

Q. Is there any benefit for a menstruating woman to make Wudhu whilst in the state of menstruation?

 

(Question published as received)

 

A. The primary purpose of performing Wudhu is to gain cleanliness (Tahaarah) for the performance of Salaah and to perform other acts of worship.

 

Whilst a person in the state of major impurity (Janaabah) or a woman in the state of menstruation (Haidh) may not obtain complete cleanliness by making Wudhu in such a state, there are other virtues/benefits in doing so.

 

Sayyidatuna Aaisha Radhiyallahu Anha reports: “Whenever Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam intended to sleep after engaging in conjugal relations, he performed Wudhu just as he would perform Wudhu for Salaah before going to sleep.” (Sahih Muslim)

 

The Jurists (Fuqahaa) have stated: “When the Salaah times sets in, it is preferable (Mustahab) for a menstruating woman to perform Wudhu and sit in the place of Salaah in her house reciting “Tasbeeh” (SubhanAllah) & “Tahleel” (Laa Ilaaha Illallah) for the duration it takes her to perform her Salah when she is pure.” (So as not to fall out of habit or become negligent towards performing Salaah.) (Hindiyyah 1/38)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

 

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

 

Confirmation:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

 

(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) 

 

 

Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) 
Council of Muslim Theologians