ENTERING INTO WOMANHOOD. A Young Girl s. Introduction to Women s Tahara

Transcription

1 ENTERING INTO WOMANHOOD A Young Girl s Introduction to Women s Tahara By Ameena bint Abdur Rahman 1

2 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. 2

3 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) 3

4 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 me with any questions: Ameena Ansari (Umm Qaasim) 4

5 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 Female Discharge and Grooming References

6 PHYSICAL DEFINITION OF MENSTRUATION What is menstruation? Menstruation means a girl s 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 isn t 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. 6

7 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 Postnatal Bleeding Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding - Hayd ح ي ض - Nifas ن ف اس Istihada إ س ت ح اض ة Monthly blood Blood that comes after having a baby 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, it s not considered your cycle. Minimum Days Maximum Days Menstruation 3 10 Between Cycles 15 None 7

8 How do I know it started? You know your cycle has started as soon as you SEE the blood. How do I know it s 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. 8

9 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 9

10 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 haven t prayed Dhuhr or some other prayer yet, and my cycle starts? You don t need to make up that prayer, it is forgiven. What s 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 it s Asr time, you would pray Asr. 10

11 But what if my cycle ends right before Asr ends for example? Insha Allah it shouldn t 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 I ve 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 11

12 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. Don t wait! Insha Allah if you make them up right after Ramadan, you will never have any outstanding fasts. 12

13 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 13

14 Additional notes on entering womanhood: FEMALE DISCHARGE Sometimes I have a discharge that isn t 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. 14

15 SOURCES OF INFORMATION used for this booklet 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. 15