Can a Menstruating Woman Enter Madinah?

As far as Islamic Shari`ah is concerned, there is nothing in the texts to suggest that women are not allowed to enter Makkah or Madinah. The women who come for Hajj and `Umrah can be menstruating and the only thing that they are not allowed to do is to circumambulate the Ka`bah.

Sheikh M. S. Al-Munajjid, a prominent Saudi Muslim lecturer and author, states the following: Menstruating women are not forbidden to enter Makkah or Madinah. There is nothing in the texts to suggest that they are not allowed to enter these cities. Rather the texts indicate the opposite. The women who come for Hajj and `Umrah can be menstruating and the only thing that they are not allowed to do is circumambulate the Ka`bah. `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) was with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during the Farewell pilgrimageand she had begun her menses before she entered Makkah, but the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not stop her from entering the city. Rather, he told her to do all the rituals of Hajj except for Tawaf around the Ka`bah, which she was to delay until she became pure: “Do everything that the pilgrims do, but do not circumambulate the House until you become pure” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Don’t the women who live in Madinah also menstruate? Do they go out of the city at that time? The point is that there is nothing wrong with a menstruating woman entering Makkah or Madinah and staying there. It is very clear and there is no need to look for evidence.

With regard to a menstruating woman entering the mosque, whether it is Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, or the Mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Madinah, or any other mosque, we have explained in another fatwa that it is not permissible for a menstruating woman to enter the mosque.