MUSLIM WOMEN IN RAMADHAAN

Rabiah T. Badroen     

The first verses revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) were brought down to him by the angel Gabriel, while he was meditating in the Cave of Hira at Jabal al Noor. That first revelation came down in the month of Ramadhaan. Revelations continued to be received by the Noble Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) for a period of 23 years. The final order of the Quraan as we have it today, was given to our Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) by Hadhrat Gabriel from Almighty Allah.

The month-long observation of Saum (Fasting) in Ramadhaan was prescribed by Allah (SWT) for all Muslims, who do not have a valid (Shara’ee) excuse not to fast.

In Surah al Baqarah, an early Madinian revelation, Allah orders us; “O you who believe! Saum is made obligatory on you, as it was done for those before you, that you may (learn) Taqwaa (self-restraint).” (2:183)

Again, Allah (SWT) says: “Ramadhaan is the month in which was sent down the Quraan, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment - (between right and wrong). So every one of you, who is present (at his home) during that month, should spend it in Saum. But if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made up by days later. Allah intends every facility for you, He does not want to put you to difficulties. He wants you to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you, and perchance you shall be grateful.” (2:185)

Saum is one of the five cardinal pillars on which Islam is based. At the beginning of each day for Saum, an intention (Niyyah) is necessary. The Yaqeen (Belief) we attach to the intention helps us to accept each day for Saum with good cheer. In our Niyyah, we ask Allah (SWT) to grant us strength to bear the hardship of Saum and accept that from us. The length of the day or the multiple chores, especially as women, that we perform are taken by us in our stride during Ramadhaan.

Narrated Hadhrat Abu Hurairah: The Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) said:

“When the month of Ramadhaan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained.” In the light of this Hadeeth, chances of going astray under the promptings of the devils or the possibility of being misled by them are substantially reduced if one undertakes Saum with full belief (Imaan and Yaqeen), that is with firm faith in Allah, the Almighty.

Women are forbidden to observe Saum during the period of menstruation. With the incidence of the Pre-Menstrual Tension during the month of Ramadhaan, women could experience a worse situation than perhaps in other months. Pre-Menstrual Tension is characterized by irritability, emotional instability and some times by headache.

This is a normal physiological process of the female reproductive system, which occurs about seven to 10 days before menstruation. These symptoms disappear with the onset of menstruation when the woman will cease to observe Saum. The levels of oestrogen and progesterone hormones that cause the erratic mood swings, gradually increase after the start of a menstrual period.

Though Saum and Salaah are forbidden for women during the period of menstruation, great benefit can be derived from reciting Azkaar (plural of Zikr, i.e remembrance and glorification of Allah), such as:

1. Tahleel (La ilaha illAllah)

2. Tasbeeh (Subhaan Allah)

3. Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah)

4. Salawaat (Durood) on the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam)

5. Istighfaar (Astaghfirullah), (Seeking Allah’s forgiveness)

These remembrances of Allah could be recited in any state and position. It is important to point out at this moment is to remind that whatever is forbidden for the menstruating women applies to the woman in a state of Nifaas (bleeding after childbirth) as well.

The compensation for having missed a Saum due to menstruation or Nifaas is to observe Saum after the month of Ramadhaan; one Saum for each missed Saum. The same compensation is applicable to the traveller, who is exempted from observing Saum in Ramadhaan.

Studies done by a group of doctors on the subject of fasting (Saum) presented results that fasting has no adverse effect on pregnancy in the third trimester. The study also revealed no significant difference in the mode of delivery or in the baby’s weight at birth. Thus, fasting by healthy women in Ramadhaan poses no risk to either the mother or the baby.

However, if a pregnant woman is advised by a reliable and practicing Muslim doctor to abstain from observing Saum due to poor health, she should certainly follow the advice. Complications can result in a miscarriage or pre-term labour. Pre term labour is a major cause of the death of babies. Major strides have been made relating to ante-natal care to make expectant mothers aware of warning signals in order to prevent pre-mature birth. Islam is most tolerant under all circumstances and provision is there to compensate the missed Saum. There are two types of compensation:

1. For healthy people: Observing one Saum for each missed Saum after Ramadhaan.

2. For old & sick people who apparently would not be able to get the strength in their lifetime: Feeding a needy person two meals for each of the missed Saum.

The same applies to the breast-feeding woman, who may find her fasting an impediment to suckling her child, adversely affecting her baby’s well being. The choice of observing Saum in Ramadhaan or observe it later, rests on the discretion of the breast-feeding woman who understands her position well. Allah’s good pleasure and acceptance are what we should seek in all matters at all times.

The Hadeeth pertaining to supererogatory (Nafl) prayer makes no distinction between sexes. The benefits are to accrue to both man and woman. For example, looking for the auspicious Lailat ul Qadr (Night of Power) in the last 10 nights of Ramadhaan is for each and every believer, men and women.

Narrated by Hadhrat Ubaadah Ibn as Saamit:

“The Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) came to inform the Muslims about the specified befalling of Lailat ul Qadr but two Muslims were quarrelling with each other. So the Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) said, “I came out to inform you about Lailat ul Qadr but such and such persons were quarrelling, so (due to that incident) the exact knowledge (about which night is the Lailat ul Qadr) is taken away. Yet that might be for your own good, so search for it on the 29th, 27th and 25th (of Ramadhaan)”. (Saheeh al Bukhari, Vol. 3, Hadeeth 240)

The Salaat ut Taraaweeh prayers were first offered by the Messenger of Allah (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) in the Masjid al Nabawi in Madinah al Munawwarah. Later, the practice of offering Salaat ut Taraaweeh in congregation was established by the second rightly-guided Caliph Omar Ibn al Khattab. But since Hadhrat Omar himself encouraged the Muslim women to offer Salaah at home rather then joining Jamaa’ah (prayers offered collectively) in Masjid, it is advisable today even for Muslim women to offer Salaah including Salaat ut Taraaweeh at home. Both these practices of Salaat ut Taraweeh and women offering Salaah at home got authentication of all other Sahaabah, the Companions who learned Islamic teaching directly from Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam).

I’tikaaf or the practice of secluding oneself in a Masjid for worship and remembrance of Allah (SWT) for a specified period is clearly a practice reserved for men as Allah says:

“But do not associate with your wives while you are in retreat in the Masjid. Those are the limits set by Allah, approach not nigh thereto. Thus does Allah make clear His signs to men, that they may learn Taqwaa (self-restraint).” (2:187)

Muslim women may get the Divine rewards by observing I’tikaaf in the seclusion of their homes.

Saum’s greatest benefit is what Allah says in Surah Al Baqarah “that you may learn Taqwaa.” (2:138)

It undoubtedly teaches us self-discipline and a better concept of what it means to remain without food and drink for long hours.

Islam has different roles for men and women that are of a complementary nature, but the pillars on which Islam is founded encompasses no gender differences. The struggle for attaining a higher status in Taqwaa (fear of Allah) is an individual effort. It makes the difference in the concentration we employ when performing Salaah, in our determination to abstain from what Allah has forbidden and shun undesirable things when we observe the Saum of the month of Ramadhaan. We inculcate generosity when we spend from our wealth in fulfilling the obligation of Zakaah, understanding that all sustenance comes from Allah (SWT) which may enable us to perform the Hajj (as well).

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