Fatwa ID: 06254
Answered by: Maulana Burhaan Rahman
Question:
A woman’s menstruation ends whilst she is on a flight. What would be the advice? Can she do tayammum and perform salat? What about if she was at the Airport
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
When a woman’s menstruation finishes she must shower:
أَنَّ امْرَأَةً، سَأَلَتِ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ غُسْلِهَا مِنَ الْمَحِيضِ، فَأَمَرَهَا كَيْفَ تَغْتَسِلُ قَالَ ” خُذِي فِرْصَةً مِنْ مِسْكٍ فَتَطَهَّرِي بِهَا ”. قَالَتْ كَيْفَ أَتَطَهَّرُ قَالَ ” تَطَهَّرِي بِهَا ”. قَالَتْ كَيْفَ قَالَ ” سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ تَطَهَّرِي ”. فَاجْتَبَذْتُهَا إِلَىَّ فَقُلْتُ تَتَبَّعِي بِهَا أَثَرَ الدَّمِ.
Our beloved Prophet (SAW) was questioned by a woman over the bath that is taken after the menstrual cycle had ended. “Purify yourself with a piece of linen scented with musk,” the Prophet (SAW) instructed her. The lady enquired, “How am I supposed to purify myself with it?” he said. (With it) purify yourself.” “Rub the region tainted with blood with it,” I instructed as I drew her close to me. [Bukhari Hadeeth no: 314]
However, since it is not possible to perform Ghusl (shower) on the flight she can make tayammum if she has something to make tayammum with and pray the prayers whilst on this tayammum.
فَلَمۡ تَجِدُوۡا مَآءً فَتَيَمَّمُوۡا صَعِيۡدًا طَيِّبًا فَامۡسَحُوۡا بِوُجُوۡهِكُمۡ وَاَيۡدِيۡكُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُوۡرًا
If you can’t find any water, take to the pure dirt and delicately brush your hands and face with it. Allah is undoubtedly All-Patient and All-Forgiving. [Surah Nisaa’ verse 43]
When a person needs to do ghusl but can’t due to circumstances e.g travelling and no water, then tayammum is fine.
When the companions were travelling with the beloved prophet (SAW):
فَلَمَّا انْفَتَلَ مِنْ صَلاَتِهِ إِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ مُعْتَزِلٍ لَمْ يُصَلِّ مَعَ الْقَوْمِ قَالَ ” مَا مَنَعَكَ يَا فُلاَنُ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ مَعَ الْقَوْمِ ”. قَالَ أَصَابَتْنِي جَنَابَةٌ وَلاَ مَاءَ. قَالَ ” عَلَيْكَ بِالصَّعِيدِ، فَإِنَّهُ يَكْفِيكَ
After he (SAW) had concluded his prayer, he noticed a man sitting by himself who had not joined the others in prayer. He enquired, “Ah, so-and-so! What has kept you from joining us in prayer?” I’m Junub (dirty), and there is no water, he responded. “Perform Tayammum using (clean) earth, and that is enough for you”, the Prophet (SAW) said. [Bukhari Hadeeth no: 344]
Although tayammum and praying are allowed in such circumstances, it is also advisable to repeat these Salaahs after ghusl when reaching home etc.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Burhaan Rahman
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
