What is the ruling regarding prayer and fasting for a menstruating woman?
Chapter on Menstruation
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
A menstruating woman is prohibited from performing obligatory prayer and fasting. Evidence for this is the Prophet's statement: “Does not one of you, when she menstruates, refrain from fasting and praying?” narrated by Al-Bukhari. Furthermore, when Hamanah complained to the Prophet concerning severe, unusual bleeding that prevented her from fasting and praying, the Prophet commanded Fatima bint Abi Hubaysh: “When the menstruation comes, then abandon the prayer.”
Supporting text
The obligation of fasting is suspended, but the obligation of prayer is dropped (not required to be made up later). This is supported by the narration where Aisha stated that during the time of the Messenger of Allah, when women menstruated, they were commanded to make up the fasts but not commanded to make up the prayers. This distinction is noted because the Khawarij hold that the menstruant must make up the missed prayers.