Easy answers to the big questions

Understanding ghusl is a key part of worship, especially for Muslim women navigating menstruation, intimacy, childbirth, and other religious acts. If you’ve ever felt unsure or overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone. This brief guide is here to support you, so you can approach your prayers and acts of worship with confidence.

In today’s fast-paced world, many women struggle to find time to care for their physical and emotional well-being, balancing the demands of work, education, and family.  Yet, it is crucial for women to prioritise their health, especially during specific stages of life such as menstruation and pregnancy. These phases often bring unique emotional and physical challenges and thus it is critical that we do not suffer in silence.

How do health conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and hormonal conditions affect my Islamic obligations?

Ramaḍān is more than a month of fasting – it is the month in which Allah ﷻ sent down His final revelation, the Qur’ān, to guide humanity. It is a time of spiritual renewal, self-discipline, and deepening our connection with the Qur’ān.

On the journey of marriage, there are many critical questions to ask about our life goals, spiritual ambitions, compatibility, personality, and willingness to love and grow with our current or future spouse. There are many creative questionnaires, activities, and therapies that help couples discern if they are a healthy match. But, I’ve rarely heard menstrual …

As the countdown to Ramaḍān starts, there’s lots to think about: the duʿās we want to make, the goals we want to accomplish, and making up for our missed fasts. (By the way, the best time is now — not only are the days still short, but it’s also the month of Shaʿbān, where good …

Praise be to Allah, I say to the Muslim woman who feels distressed due to these natural discharges: there is no cause for concern. In fact, the absence of such discharges is what might warrant concern and a visit to a physician. 

Menstruation is a natural fact and divinely ordained process. But it is often surrounded by myths and misconceptions that can lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and even self-doubt. For many women, this can perpetuate stigma and prevent open conversations and access to proper healthcare and understanding.

My dear sister, if you’ve ever felt a pang of sadness or a sense of exclusion during sacred times like Ramaḍān or Dhul Ḥijjah because of your period, know that you are not alone. It’s natural to feel this way. Your heart longs to pray, fast, and engage in worship, especially on blessed days like the Day of ‘Arafah or Laylat al-Qadr.

Many of us were never taught how to understand the natural rhythms of our bodies — whether at school or in the masājid. Yet, knowledge is a sacred trust; and in this case, it’s essential. Understanding the Islamic rulings around menstruation (ḥayḍ) and abnormal bleeding (istiḥāḍah) helps Muslim women navigate acts of worship like ṣalāh (prayer), ṣawm (fasting), Qur’ān recitation, and marital relations. By learning these rulings, women can stay spiritually connected, while honouring Islamic law, with confidence and clarity.

In this blog, we’ll explore the key rulings from the four major Sunni schools of thought — Ḥanafī, Mālikī, Shāfiʿī, and Ḥanbalī — to provide you a well-rounded understanding of this important topic.