As far as Islamic Shari`ah is concerned, a menstruating woman is allowed to clip the nails or hair, take a shower, or anything halal with the exception of performing Prayer or fasting or touching or carrying the mus-haf (Arabic for: copy of the Qur’an) according to some scholars.
Explaining what is allowed and what is not allowed for the menstruating woman, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, stated: There is absolutely no prohibition for women against clipping or cutting nails or hair or taking showers or bathing during menstruation. Women are only required to refrain from Prayer and fasting. They can also, without incurring sin, listen to the Qur’an or read it from memory, especially if they are afraid of forgetting it.
Imam Malik is of the view that women can even read Qur’an from the mus-haf , especially if they are teaching or studying. It also goes without saying that all scholars agree that during menstruation, women can always make dhikr (Arabic for: words invoking remembrance of Allah) or du`aa’ (Arabic for: supplication to Allah).
We are, therefore, best advised to stay away from things forbidden, while not forbidding that which is not forbidden. For as explicitly stated by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), “Whatever Allah has been silent of will be deemed as part of His grace, for Your Lord is never forgetful.”