When a girl gets her first period in Islam, it signifies the onset of puberty, a crucial stage where she becomes accountable for fulfilling her religious obligations. The primary actions relate to specific acts of worship that are not performed during menstruation.
Understanding Menstruation in Islam
Menstruation (known as Hayd in Arabic) is a natural bodily process that has specific rulings in Islamic law. During her period, a woman is temporarily exempted from certain religious duties.
Key Actions to Take
Based on Islamic teachings and the provided reference, here are the steps a girl should take upon starting her first period:
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Identify the Duration and Timing: She should observe how long her period lasts and when it occurs during the month. This helps establish a pattern for future cycles. The reference states: "He said, 'She should look for the number of days and nights that she usually has her period and the time of the month during which it occurs.'"
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Cease Specific Acts of Worship: During the days of menstruation, she must stop performing certain acts of worship. The most significant are:
- Prayer (Salah)
- Fasting (Sawm)
- Circumambulating the Kaaba (Tawaf)
- Reading the Quran from the Mushaf (exceptions and details vary by school of thought, but touching the Mushaf is generally not permitted).
- Remaining in the mosque.
The reference specifically mentions prayer: "Then she should stop praying, (during these days, and then afterwards) perform ghusl , put something over her vagina and then perform prayer.'"
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Perform Ghusl (Ritual Bath): Once the bleeding stops, she must perform a full ritual bath called Ghusl to purify herself before resuming acts of worship like prayer and fasting. The reference indicates this: "Then she should stop praying, (during these days, and then afterwards) perform ghusl..."
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Use Protection: The reference mentions putting something over her vagina. This refers to using sanitary protection to manage the flow. "...put something over her vagina and then perform prayer.'"
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Resume Acts of Worship: After performing Ghusl, she becomes ritually pure and can resume praying, fasting (if it was during Ramadan), and other acts of worship. The reference concludes: "...and then perform prayer.'"
Summary Table
| Action | Description | Status During Period | Status After Ghusl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Cycle | Note duration and timing | N/A | N/A |
| Stop Prayer (Salah) | Do not perform daily prayers | Not Obligatory | Obligatory |
| Stop Fasting (Sawm) | Do not fast (if in Ramadan) | Not Permitted | Permitted |
| Perform Ghusl | Full ritual bath after bleeding stops | N/A | Obligatory |
| Use Protection | Wear sanitary pads/products | Recommended/Necessary | N/A |
| Resume Worship | Start praying, fasting (make up missed fasts) | Not Permitted | Permitted |
Practical Insights
- Making Up Missed Acts: While prayers missed during menstruation are not made up, missed obligatory fasts (like those in Ramadan) must be made up later.
- Education: Parents or guardians should educate the girl about these rulings and help her understand the importance of her newfound religious accountability.
- Hygiene: Maintaining proper hygiene during menstruation is emphasized in Islam.
Understanding these simple steps helps a young Muslim girl navigate this natural transition while adhering to her religious obligations.
