Eight Madani pearls about menses and Nifaas (post-natal bleeding)

1.       Islamic sisters can deliver Bayan and Dars in the state of menses and Nifaas, they can touch Islamic books as well. However, it is Haraam to touch the Quran with hand, fingertip or any part of the body. Further, if any verse of Quran is written on a piece of paper, nothing else is written, it is not allowed to touch it from any side or any corner.

2.       Reading and touching the Quran is Haraam in the state of menses and Nifaas. There is the same ruling in case of reading or touching the translation of the Quran in Persian or Urdu or any other language[1]. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 2, pp. 49, 101)

3.       If the Quran is in a box, there is no harm in touching the box; similarly, it is permissible to hold the Quran with such a cloth etc. which neither you are wearing nor in which Quran has been wrapped. Touching the Quran with your sleeve, shawl (which is on your head or shoulder) is Haraam. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 2, pp. 49)

4.       There’s no harm in reciting the verse of Quran with the intention of supplication or getting blessing i.e. reciting بِسۡـمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحۡـمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِط with the intention of gratitude or reciting اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَط after the sneeze is allowed. Likewise, listening to any bad news, saying اِنَّا لِلّٰهِ وَ  اِنَّآ اِلَيۡهِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ or reading Surah Al-Fatihah, Aayat-ul-Kursi, last three verses of Surah Al-Hashr from ھُوَ  اللّٰہُ  الَّذِیْ  لَآ  اِلٰہَ  اِلَّا  ھُوَ ۚ to the end of Surah with the intention of glorification is also allowed.

Similarly, she can read all the three Quls with the intention of glorification without the word ‘قُلۡ.’ She cannot read with the word ‘قُلۡ’ even with the intention of glorification because it will be regarded the recitation of Quran, intention (of mere glorification) is not valid in this case.

(Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 2, pp. 48)

5.       Except the Quran, there’s no harm in reading all the invocations, Zikr, Salat-‘Alan-Nabi, Salams, Na’ats, reply to Azan etc. She can attend an Ijtima’ (congregation) of Zikr, and can conduct it as well. However, it is better to make Wudu or clean the mouth before performing these acts. If she performs these acts even without Wudu etc. there is no harm.

6.       It should be particularly kept in mind that offering Salah or having fast is Haraam during these days. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 2, pp. 102; Fatawa ‘Aalamgiri, vol. 1, pp. 38)

7.       She must not offer Salah during these days even due to considerateness as some scholars say ‘offering Salah deliberately without Wudu and without any Shar’i exemption is Kufr (disbelief) provided one commits this act considering it permissible or making a fun of Salah.’

(Minh-ur-Raud lil-Qaari, pp. 468)

8. There is no need to offer the Salah missed during these days; however, it is Fard (obligatory) to observe the fasts of Ramadan left during this period.

(Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 2, pp. 102; Durr-e-Mukhtar, vol. 1, pp. 532)

Nafl (supererogatory) fasts are unlikely to be accepted unless the missed obligatory fasts are observed. For detailed information, study Bahar-e-Shari’at, volume 2, page 91 to 109 (published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah). (It  is not only my request but also my strict advice to every Islamic sister.)