ENTERING INTO WOMANHOOD

A Young Girls
Introduction to Womens
Tahara

By Ameena bint Abdur Rahman

www.sacredknowledgeforkids

Copyright @ Ameena Ansari

All rights reserved
Last Revised November 2014

This document is a work in progress. Please do not copy or

redistribute without written permission. It is recommended
to have 2 hours to complete this text in a classroom setting.

In the Name of Allah

The Most Merciful, The Especially Merciful

Assalaamu Alaikum Dearest Sisters of all ages,

Contained here is a short text on the basics of the Fiqh of Menstruation
addressed to young girls.
I studied this topic briefly with Imam Tahir Anwar, and in more detail with
Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed at Zaytuna Institute in Hayward,
California. Later I was honored by these teachers with permission to teach
Purity, Prayer, and Fasting.
Realizing the benefit of learning Fiqh of Menstruation from a female
teacher, I approached a local Sunday School where I had taught before, and
I was assigned to teach High School girls that semester. Later, I was invited
back to teach this topic to the (younger) 5th grade girls in a one hour class.
Ustadha Shamira's class was a 6 week long, 12 hour course. The challenge
here was to create something to the level of a 10 year old that they could
understand in one hour and immediately use. It was a blessing to continue
to have access to Ustadha Shamira and Imam Tahir so that they could
continually review the content for accuracy and give feedback.
The result is in the humble pages that follow. I pray they are accepted by
Allah subhana wa ta'ala, and they are of benefit.
Please remember me, and my teachers, without whose patience and
guidance I would be lost, in your prayers.
Wasalaamu Alaikum
Ameena Ansari (Umm Qaasim)

ENTERING INTO WOMANHOOD

Islamically speaking, there is no such thing as adolescence.
From a child a woman emerges Masha Allah.
Having your monthly cycle (period) marks the beginning of
womanhood in Islam. You are now responsible for all your
actions and accountable for all duties to Allah (swt). If you miss
any duty, you must make it up as soon as you remember.
If you have questions about anything go to your parents. If they
cannot answer, Insha Allah they will find the answer for you
from a person of knowledge. Remember that no one loves or
cares for you more than your parents.
You (or your parents) are always welcome to email me with any
questions:
Ameena Ansari (Umm Qaasim)
http://www.sacredknowledgeforkids.com/contact.html

THIS BOOKLET
Insha Allah this booklet will serve as an introduction to your
monthly cycle and how it affects your worship.
Why study menstruation (your period/monthly cycle)?
It affects our Tahara (purity for worship), and therefore
our Ibadah (worship).
It marks the age of maturity, the beginning of the age of
accountability for our actions. You need to be prepared
from the first day.

CONTENT BRIEFLY COVERS:

Physical Definition of Menstruation 6
Islamic Definition of Menstruation.. 7
Includes:
How long a cycle lasts
How to know your cycle has started.
How to know your cycle has ended.
How to Worship Allah during your cycle .. 9
Includes:
Acts that are prohibited and recommended
Prayer and Fasting and how it relates to your cycle .. 10
How to purify yourself for worship when your cycle is over.... 13
Female Discharge and Grooming .... 14
References .. 15
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PHYSICAL DEFINITION OF MENSTRUATION

What is menstruation?
Menstruation means a girls body is physically capable of
becoming pregnant. Each month, one of the ovaries releases an
egg. This is called ovulation. At the same time, hormonal
changes prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If ovulation takes
place and the egg isnt fertilized, the lining of the uterus sheds
through the vagina. This is called a period (or monthly cycle).
Where does the blood come from?
Your private parts have 3 openings: Your urine comes from the
urethra (toward the front), menstrual blood from your vagina
(in the middle) and feces from your anus (in the back).
Is the blood always red?
No. It can be bright or dark red, yellow, muddy, green, black or
earthy color.
Does it hurt?
Many girls have cramps typically in the lower abdomen, when
their cycles begin. Cramps can be dull and achy or sharp and
intense. Exercise (gentle), a heating pad, or an over the counter
pain reliever may help ease any discomfort.
When will it happen?
No one can tell exactly when a girl will get her first cycle.
Usually sometime between 9 and 15. Typically, however, girls
begin menstruation about two years after their breasts begin to
develop. Many girls experience a thin, white vaginal discharge
about one year before menstruation begins.
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LAWS OF MENSTRUATION
Islamic Definition of Menstruation:
Menstruation is blood from the womb of a mature female that
is not the result of any illness, pregnancy, or that is postmenopausal.
Types of blood that come from the vagina.
English Term

Arabic Term

Definition

Menstruation

- Hayd

Monthly blood

Postnatal Bleeding

- Nifas

Blood that comes

after having a baby

Dysfunctional
Uterine Bleeding

Istihada

Blood that is neither

of the above

How long does the monthly cycle last?

It must last at least 3 days to be considered your cycle, and no
longer than 10 days. Each day is a 24-hours. So the minimum
menstruation timeframe is 72 hours.
How long in between my cycles?
The timeframe between your cycles is called the duration of
purity (tuhr) and it is minimum 15 days. If you see blood again
after your cycle ends, and less than 15 days have passed, its not
considered your cycle.

Menstruation
Between Cycles

Minimum Maximum
Days
Days
3
10
15
None
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How do I know it started?

You know your cycle has started as soon as you SEE the blood.
How do I know its over?
When you no longer see ANY colored discharge.
What color discharge is considered my cycle?
Any color that is not clear or white (or your normal color). It can
be bright or dark red, yellow, muddy, green, black or earthy
color.

Note: A girl below the age of (9 lunar years= 8 solar

years, 8 months and 3 weeks) does not menstruate. If a
girl this age notices blood it is not considered to be her
cycle, but due to some illness.
Note: It is Makruh to insert anything into the vaginal
opening. Do not use tampons.

HOW TO WORSHIP ALLAH DURING YOUR CYCLE

PROHIBITED ACTS OF WORSHIP

Prayer
Fasting
Recitation of Quran (even a translation)
Touching the Quran (even a translation)
Entering the Prayer Area of the Masjid
Tawaf of the Holy Kaaba

SOME ALLOWED ACTS OF WORSHIP

Listening to Quran, or reading Quran with your
eyes only
Salawaat on the Prophet(s)
Asking (or reading) duas
Doing Dhikr
Reading Hadith
Studying or reading any Islamic literature
Note: These particular acts are mentioned because
usually women are not sure if they can do them or not.
There are more things you can do. You can actually do
anything except what is listed as prohibited.
RECOMMENDED ACTS OF WORSHIP
To perform ablution (wudhu) at the time of prayer
To sit where you normally sit for prayer and do
dhikr
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PRAYERS & FASTING

So if I get my cycle, what do I do about my prayers?
Once you see blood, you should note the time in your own
personal calendar. Also note the time it ends. You will not pray
or fast until your cycle is over.
Do I have to make up my prayers?
No, whatever prayers you miss due to your cycle are forgiven.
What if I havent prayed Dhuhr or some other prayer yet, and
my cycle starts?
You dont need to make up that prayer, it is forgiven.
Whats the calendar for?
It is Wajib (necessary) to keep a calendar. This is a very good
habit in case your cycle changes over the years. In the
beginning, your cycles may not be regular. Meaning they may
not start exactly every 28 days. By keeping a calendar, you will
know EXACTLY when you got your cycle and when it ended. We
mentioned earlier that if the bleeding is less than 3 days for
example, then it is not considered your cycle. 3 days is exactly
72 hours. So you need to know the TIME you started your cycle,
so you can calculate exactly 72 hours if you need to. It also
helps you remember how many fasts you need to make up.
Okay, but how do I know which prayer I need to do when my
cycle ends?
When your cycle ends, note the time and do ghusl, whatever
prayer time it is, you pray that prayer. For example if your cycle
ends and you do ghusl and its Asr time, you would pray Asr.
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But what if my cycle ends right before Asr ends for example?
Insha Allah it shouldnt take you longer than 10 minutes to do
ghusl and stand for the opening takbir. This 10 minutes
includes: entering the bathroom, taking off your clothes,
wetting your whole body including your belly button, the hair to
the roots(scalp), rinsing your mouth and nose, putting on your
clothes, standing on your prayer mat, and saying the opening
takbir. So if it takes you 10 minutes to do this, and your cycle
ends 10 minutes before the Asr prayer time ends(for example),
you should do the ghusl right away and catch the Asr prayer.
If your cycle ends 10 minutes before Asr and you DO NOT do
ghusl right away and pray, and Asr ends, this is sinful as you
missed prayer due to laziness! You will have to make up Asr.
What if it takes me 10 minutes to do ghusl and stand for
prayer, but my cycle ends 5 minutes before Asr ends?
Then you are not responsible for Asr and you do not have to
make it up. You are forgiven for that prayer.
What if I think Ive stopped bleeding, did my ghusl and I start
bleeding again?
If this is a routine issue for you, toward the end of your period,
it is recommended to wait until the end of the prayer time
before checking. This is to avoid becoming preoccupied with
checking for bleeding. About 1 hour and 15 minutes (or the
time it takes to do ghusl), before the end of the prayer time,
place a very small cloth, or small piece of paper towel, against
the vaginal opening (not inside). Use something that will not
fall apart but will absorb the moisture from the vaginal opening.
Then 15 minutes (or the time it takes to do ghusl) before the
end of the prayer time if the cloth has no color, do ghusl and
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pray. If it does have color, repeat the process at the end of the
next prayer time, and so on.
What about Fasting and my cycle?
If you ARE fasting in Ramadan, and your cycle starts,
that fast will not count for you and you will need to
make it up. You should eat or drink something, and are
allowed to eat and drink the rest of that day, and all
days until your cycle is over.
If you are NOT fasting in Ramadan because you have
your cycle, and then your cycle ends, you would take a
shower (ghusl), and stop eating and drinking for the
normal hours of fasting. Again this fast will not count
for you and you will need to make it up. And of course
you would begin to pray at the proper times right after
the ghusl.
Do I have to make up the missed fasts?
YES! If you miss fasts in Ramadan, you must make them up as
soon as possible. Dont wait! Insha Allah if you make them up
right after Ramadan, you will never have any outstanding fasts.

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HOW TO PURIFY YOURSELF (for worship)

ONCE YOUR CYCLE IS OVER
Complete and Perfect Ghusl according to the Sunnah of
Rasulallah(s):
Say the Basmallah and make an intention
Wash your hands
Wash your private parts
Make wudhu
Rinse your head 3 times. Water must go to the roots of
the hair
Rinse and rub right side of body 3 times
Rinse and rub left side of body 3 times
Minimum Acts of Ghusl:
Why not start taking every shower this way TODAY?
Wet your entire body and scalp (every inch.. including
belly button and roots of the hair!)
Rinse your mouth
Rinse your nose

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Additional notes on entering womanhood:

FEMALE DISCHARGE
Sometimes I have a discharge that isnt clear or white, is that
my period?
No, your period on average lasts about a week. Discharge is the
substance that exits the vagina on your regular days. If your
discharge is yellowish or has color (not clear or white), it DOES
break your wudhu, and it IS impure. So whenever you have
colored discharge, you need to refresh your wudhu and remove
any colored discharge from your body and clothing. The easiest
way to keep your clothing clean is to wear a liner and change it
after washing yourself. Talk with your mother if your discharge
suddenly has a very strong odor or suddenly appears different.
This could be a sign of infection.
GROOMING
Is it true that we are required to remove armpit and pubic
hair?
It is recommended to pluck the armpit and pubic hairs every 7
days. It is permitted to delay to 15 days, beyond 40 days is
sinful.
Do you have to pluck the hairs or can we use other means to
remove them?
If you cannot pluck them for fear of harm, you can use electric
beard trimmers, wax, hair removal creams, sugaring, or
threading.

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SOURCES OF INFORMATION
used for this booklet

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menstruation/FL00
040/NSECTIONGROUP=2
Laws of Menstruation, Postnatal Bleeding, and
Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding, by Mufti Abdur Rahman
ibn Yusuf & Ustadha Rashida Esakjee

Note: The Laws of Menstruation is 17 pages and a

printable version is available at zamzamacademy.com.
It is highly recommended for further reading.

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