No, women are not allowed to touch the Kaaba during their menstrual periods based on Islamic teachings. This prohibition stems from the state of ritual impurity associated with menstruation. The relevant religious texts and scholarly consensus clearly define the restrictions on what activities a menstruating woman can perform in holy places like Mecca.
Restrictions for Menstruating Women in Mecca
During menstruation, a Muslim woman is considered to be in a state of major ritual impurity ( hadath akbar) and cannot perform certain religious rituals. One of these prohibited acts is Tawaf (circumambulating the Kaaba). This prohibition is clear from the provided reference:
So the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Then let her depart.” This indicates that the menstruating woman is not allowed to do tawaf and that she should remain [in Makkah] until she becomes pure; if she leaves, then she must come back and do tawaf.
This means that if a woman is menstruating she cannot perform tawaf, which involves circumambulating the Kaaba. Based on most interpretations, since tawaf isn't permissible, entering Masjid al-Haram and touching the Kaaba, which is the focus of tawaf, is also not permissible.
Summary of Restrictions:
| Activity | Permitted During Menstruation? |
|---|---|
| Tawaf | No |
| Touching Kaaba | No |
| Praying | No |
| Entering Masjid | Disputed, but often discouraged for those menstruating |
It is important to note that while the act of tawaf is specifically prohibited in the above hadith, most religious scholars extrapolate that other actions involving physical closeness to the Kaaba, including touching it, are also prohibited during menstruation.
Recommendations:
- Wait for Purification: A woman should wait until her menstruation ends, perform ghusl (ritual bath), and then she can perform tawaf and other rituals.
- Seek Guidance: If uncertain about specific situations, always consult with knowledgeable religious scholars.
- Focus on Other Acts of Worship: During menstruation, women can engage in other forms of worship such as reciting Quran from memory, making supplications, and doing dhikr.
