No, you cannot perform Tawaf while menstruating. Muslim jurists agree that women experiencing menstruation are not permitted to perform Tawaf, a crucial ritual of Hajj and Umrah involving circumambulating the Kaaba. This restriction applies even if the woman is experiencing only light bleeding.
Islamic Scholarly Consensus on Tawaf and Menstruation
The consensus among various schools of Islamic jurisprudence is that performing Tawaf is prohibited during menstruation. This is based on interpretations of Islamic texts and traditions. While other rituals of Hajj and Umrah can be performed, Tawaf must be delayed until after the woman's period concludes and she performs ritual purification (ghusl).
-
Several references including IslamQA.info, IslamQA.org, and others explicitly state that a menstruating woman cannot perform Tawaf. She must wait until she is ritually pure to complete this essential part of the pilgrimage.
-
The Hanafi school while sometimes cited as having a more lenient interpretation, still requires a woman to wait until she is clean to perform Tawaf. Any other interpretation is considered an outlier.
-
The prohibition extends beyond the act of Tawaf itself; it encompasses the entire ritual, including the two Rak'ahs of prayer associated with it.
Practical Considerations for Women During Pilgrimage
If menstruation begins during Hajj or Umrah, a woman should:
- Continue with other aspects of the pilgrimage: She can perform all rituals except Tawaf until her period ends.
- Delay Tawaf: She must wait until her period is over and she has performed ghusl (ritual cleansing) before completing the Tawaf.
- Plan for potential delays: Women should factor in the possibility of menstruation when planning their pilgrimage to accommodate any necessary delays.
- Consult religious scholars: For specific guidance tailored to individual circumstances, women should seek advice from knowledgeable Islamic scholars.
It's important to note that while some online sources may offer differing opinions, the overwhelming scholarly consensus maintains the prohibition of Tawaf during menstruation. Therefore, delaying the Tawaf until after the menstrual cycle is the recommended and accepted practice in Islam.
