"O Messenger of Allah, I do not become pure, so should I stop praying? He said: "no, that is a vein." - (One of the narrators) Khalid said, in what I read from him - "and it is not menstruation, so when your period comes, stop praying, and when it goes, wash the blood from yourself and pray."
Narrated by It was narrated from 'Aishah that the daughter of Abu Hubaish said:
Context
In this narration, the daughter of Abu Hubaish expressed her concern to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) about her inability to attain purity. The Prophet (ﷺ) reassured her that it was merely a vein and not menstruation, advising her on how to manage her prayers. This interaction highlights the Prophet's (ﷺ) compassion and understanding of women's issues.
Modern Application
Today, women can find comfort in knowing that they can seek guidance regarding their health and spiritual practices. Open discussions about such topics can lead to better understanding and support within the community.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Purification (Wudu/Taharah) because it provides clarity on the rules of prayer in relation to women's health.
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves."
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.
And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance. And establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification.
O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not [yet] reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at three times: before the dawn prayer and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon and after the night prayer. [These are] three times of privacy for you. There is no blame upon you nor upon them beyond these [periods], for they continually circulate among you - some of you, among others. Thus does Allah make clear to you the verses; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.
This hadith is #367 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Menstruation and Istihadah. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated from 'Aishah that the daughter of Abu Hubaish said:.