By Zainab Idris Abdullahi and Sakeenah Saleh Joji
Allah has created women such that they play the major roles in the perpetuation of the human race. Th us, the primary reproductive organs of a woman are her ovaries. When a girl is born, her ovaries contain about 400,000 immature eggs, known as ova. At puberty, the eggs starts maturing, usually one ovum each month. Th e maturity of the ovum takes place roughly halfway between two menstrual cycles. After maturity, it fi nd its way from the ovary to the fallopian tube and ends up in the womb.
Th e womb, while preparing for the possible arrival of a fertilised egg, develops a thick, soft, velvety lining which is made up mostly of blood vessels. Th is thick, soft lining in the womb in biological terminology is termed endometrium. If an egg is fertilised, it will be embedded in the endometrium and continue its growth. But if no egg is fertilized, the endometrium is no longer needed and is sheded or discarded.
Th is process of discarding the endometrium is known as menstruation. Th us, menstruation is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. Th e fi rst period usually begins between twelve and fi fteen years of age. Th e typical length of time between the fi rst day of one period and the fi rst day of the next is 21 to 45 days in young women, and 21 to 31 days in adults (an average of 28 days). Bleeding usually lasts around 2 to 7 days.
Menstruation stops occurring after menopause, which usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. Menstruation also stops during pregnancy and typically do not resume during the initial months of breastfeeding. From the above biological explanation, it is clear that menstruation is a very normal biological process that ensures the perpetuation of the human race.
Hence, in relation to Islam, menstruation marks the commencement of imposition of all compulsory islamic activities including fasting, wherein a book of account containing all the deeds of the son of Adam are recorded. Fasting is an ordained religious instruction and the third pillar of Islam, which every adult, sane and healthy must observed. However, among the established rulings in Islamic law is that a Muslim woman must break her fast in Ramadan when she gets her monthly period, due to the exhaustion and physiological disturbances associated with menstruation.
For this reason, it is obligatory for a menstruating woman not to fast; it is a mercy from Allah Almighty. Women are required to eat and drink when in their menstrual period; and by so doing, there is no sin or blame on them, because they will later make up the missed fastdays, as narrated by Aisha (R.A), the Mother of the Believers; “When we were with the Prophet [pbuh] , we used to experience menstruation and were commanded to make up the [missed] fast-days but not prayers.”
However, opinions have been proff ered by Muslim Scholars on whether a woman is allowed to take pills/medicines or any substance that may either delay, suspend or stop her menstruation in order to enable her fast among other Muslims in the month of Ramadan, without putting it off till later days. A scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Shalih al Uthaymeen, in his fatwa, said it is alright for a woman to use medicine to stop her period temporarily, if it will not be harmful to her, and by the permission of her husband.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, further said he knows such medicines are harmful to women, because the menstrual blood should be expelled naturally, and preventing it from fl owing out in time may be harmful to her body. “Moreover, such medicine causes women’s period to be irregular, thus creating confusion and doubt about whether they are already clean or not, at the time of praying or having sexual intercourse with their husbands. “I am not saying that it is unlawful.
Th e women should accept the fate that Allah has ordained for them,” he explained. Another scholar, a former professor of Shari`ah at Cairo University, Dr. Rif`at Fawzi, sees nothing wrong if a woman takes pills during Ramadan to enable her fast without interruption, as far as Islam is concerned. He, however cautioned that while a woman is allowed to do so, it should be guided by the conditions that taking such pills will not result in putting her life and health at risk, and also advised on seeking the advice of a reliable physician before taking such medication. Meanwhile, the practice by some women nowadays is eating very small amount of food or drink, and then refrain from eating for the rest of the day.
Th is practice contravenes the wisdom behind relieving them from the obligation of fasting and preserving their physical and psychological health. In conclusion, Islamic tenets and teachings is more concerned with preserving life, physical, mental and psychological health of its entire adherent; whether male or female alike. Doctors have warned that these pills can cause harm to the uterus and the blood, and may cause deformity in the foetus if a woman should conceive. Th erefore since the rationale behind exempting women from fasting while menstruating, is to assuage them from the pressure and the burning sensation accompanying menstruation, it is therefore advisable for women to embrace the mercy and appreciate the respite given to them by Allah Almighty, and submit to His decree as this earns her a greater reward.
Th us, Allah says in Qur’an 5:6 “Now surely you will appreciate the words of Allah which say, Allah does not desire to make any impediment for you; He only desires to purify you, and that He may complete His blessings upon you; happily you will be thankful (to Him). Zainab Idris Abdullahi and Sakeenah Saleh Joji, are 300 level students, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.
