What are the things that women cannot do during menstruation or postpartum bleeding?

There are certain special rulings for women during menstruation or postpartum bleeding. Women in these states:

a) Cannot engage in sexual intercourse. Regarding this, the Qur’an states: “They ask you about menstruation. Say: It is a discomfort. So keep away from women during menstruation, and do not approach them until they are cleansed…” (al-Baqara, 2/222). Therefore, not only is it forbidden for women to have sexual intercourse during menstruation and postpartum bleeding, but it is also haram to have intercourse with a woman in these states.

b) Cannot perform prayer or fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that women in this condition do not fast or pray. (Bukhari, Hayd, 6 [304]) There is consensus among the Companions that women did not pray or fast during menstruation and postpartum bleeding in the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The jurists are also in agreement on this matter. Prayers missed during these periods are not made up later, but missed Ramadan fasts are made up. When a woman asked Aisha whether missed prayers during menstruation should be made up, she replied: “During the time of the Messenger of Allah, we were ordered to make up the fasts after menstruation, but not the prayers.” (Muslim, Hayd, 67-69 [335]; see also Bukhari, Hayd, 20 [321]).

c) Cannot perform tawaf of the Kaaba. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told Aisha, who was crying out of fear that she could not perform Hajj due to menstruation: “Do everything that the pilgrims do, except for tawaf of the Kaaba.” (Bukhari, Hayd, 1 [294]).

d) Should not enter mosques unless necessary. (Mawsili, al-Ikhtiyar, 1/13; Mawwaq, at-Taj, 1/552; Shirbini, Mughni’l-muhtaj, 1/279)

e) As for touching or reciting the Qur’an during menstruation or postpartum bleeding, Islamic scholars have expressed different opinions on this matter.

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu