Q- A woman said, “ I went for ‘Umrah and crossed the meeqaat while I was menstruating so I did not make ihraam.  I remained in Makkah until my menses ceased and then put on my Ihraam in Makkah and made  ‘Umrah”.  She then asked,  “ Is what I did permissible?  If not, what should I have done’?  

A- Your actions were incorrect.  A woman wishing to perform “Umrah should not cross the meeqaat without wearing her ihraam, even if she is menstruating.  The proof for this is the case of Asmaa bint ‘Umays, wife of Aboo Bakr, who delivered a baby during the Prophet’s stay at Thul-Hulayfah during his farewell Hajj.  He instructed her to make ihraam. Since the blood from post-natal bleeding is similar to menstrual blood, the same ruling applies.  However, the menstruating woman who wears ihraam, should not enter the mosque nor make tawaaf until her bleeding stops.  In this regard, the Prophet (saws) told his wife ‘Aa’ishah, “Do everything that one performing Hajj does, except circling the Ka’bah, until your menses stops”.  If her menses begin after she has made tawaaf, she should go ahead and make the sa’yi, even though she is menstruating.   Then she should cut some of her hair signifying the end of her ‘Umrah.  It is permissible for a menstruating woman to do sa’yi because tahaarah is not a condition for those making sa’yi.  

Q- Is the place of sa’yi a part of the Haram? Can a menstruating woman go there?  Should one who enters the Haram from this location perform the formal prayer for entering the mosque?  

A- It appears that this area was not originally part of the mosque.  Because of that, a small wall was placed between it and the present –day mosque.  There is no doubt that it being separate is better for people, because if the sa’yi area was originally included in the mosque, it would prevent the menstruating woman from making sa’yi.  My ruling is that if a woman begins menstruating after completing the tawaaf, she can go ahead and make sa’yi because the area of sa’yi is not actually considered part of the mosque.  

As to making formal prayer for entering the mosque from there, it could be said that one who makes sa’yi and re-enters the mosque should make the prayer.  If he did not make it, there is no sin on him, but it would be better for him to take advantage of the opportunity and make the two units of prayer considering the great honor given to worship in the mosque.