Q: Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to offer Salah (Prayer)? Is it permissible for a person to have conjugal intercourse with his wife on the night of ‘Eid-ul-Adha (the Festival of the Sacrifice) and that of Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree)? When is it unlawful for a Muslim husband to have intercourse with his wife?

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions. Firstly: It is not permissible for a menstruating woman to offer Salah as long as she is menstruating. A menstruating woman is exempted from the duty of offering Salah and she is not required to make up for the Salah she missed after the end of menstruation. Once the menstruation period ends, the woman has to perform Ghusl (ritual bath) and offer the duly current Salah. Secondly: It is forbidden for a husband to have intercourse with his wife in the vagina during her menstrual period but he may be intimate with her elsewhere. It is lawful for him to have intercourse with his wife on the night of Laylat-ul-Qadr or ‘Eid-ul-Adha. But it becomes unlawful for him if he assumes Ihram (ritual state) for Hajj, unless after his Tahalul (removal of the ritual state) for Hajj by throwing pebbles at the stone pillar of Al-‘Aqabah on the day of ‘Eid-ul-Adha, Tawaf-ul-Ifadah (final obligatory circumambulation around the Ka‘bah in Hajj), Sa‘y (going between Safa and Marwah during Hajj), and by shaving or cutting hair; or after his Tahalul (removal of the ritual state) for ‘Umrah by performing Tawaf, Sa‘y, shaving or cutting the hair. The same ruling applies if his wife has assumed Ihram for Hajj or ‘Umrah, even if the husband himself is not in the state of Ihram. (Part No. 5; Page No. 396) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.