Dhikr and Duʿāʾ During Menstruation — What's Permitted in Islam
Your period pauses prayer — but it never pauses your connection to Allah ﷻ. Here's everything that remains open to you, and why these days can be deeply spiritual.
The Misconception
One of the most common misconceptions among Muslim women is that menstruation cuts them off from Allah ﷻ entirely — that they cannot worship, cannot make dhikr, cannot even say "Bismillāh." This is incorrect. While ṣalāh and fasting are suspended during ḥayḍ, a vast landscape of worship remains not only permitted but encouraged.
The Prophet ﷺ told ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها during Ḥajj, when she began menstruating: "Do everything that a pilgrim does, except do not perform ṭawāf around the House until you are purified" (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Muslim). This ḥadīth demonstrates that the restriction is specific and limited — not a blanket prohibition on all worship.
What Is Unanimously Permitted During Ḥayḍ
The following acts of worship are permitted during menstruation by unanimous agreement of all four madhhabs:
Duʿāʾ (supplication): There is absolutely no restriction on making duʿāʾ during ḥayḍ. Duʿāʾ is the essence of worship — the Prophet ﷺ said: "Duʿāʾ is worship" (Sunan Abī Dāwūd, ṣaḥīḥ chain). You may make duʿāʾ at any time, in any position, in any state.
Dhikr (remembrance of Allah): Saying SubḥānAllāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Allāhu Akbar, Lā ilāha illAllāh, istighfār, ṣalawāt upon the Prophet ﷺ, and all other forms of dhikr are unrestricted. The Prophet ﷺ used to remember Allah ﷻ in all states (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها reported that the Prophet ﷺ would recline in her lap while she was menstruating and engage in dhikr (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī).
Saying "Bismillāh" and "Alḥamdulillāh": Before eating, after sneezing, entering the home — all the daily adhkār continue as normal.
Listening to the Qurʾān: All schools permit listening to Qurʾānic recitation during ḥayḍ — whether from a speaker, a phone, or a reciter. There is no restriction on hearing the words of Allah.
Sending ṣalawāt upon the Prophet ﷺ: "Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammad" and its variations are dhikr, not Qurʾānic recitation, and are unrestricted.
Making tawbah (repentance): Seeking Allah's forgiveness, reflecting on one's shortcomings, and turning to Him in humility — this is always open, always welcomed.
Giving charity (ṣadaqah): There is no purity requirement for giving charity. In fact, acts of generosity during ḥayḍ can fill the spiritual space that prayer normally occupies.
Learning and attending Islamic gatherings: Sitting in circles of knowledge, reading tafsīr (explanation of the Qurʾān), reading ḥadīth, and studying fiqh are all permitted. The Prophet ﷺ instructed menstruating women to attend the ʿĪd prayer gathering — to witness the goodness and the duʿāʾ of the Muslims (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī).
The Qurʾān Question — Madhhab Positions
The most debated question is whether a menstruating woman may recite the Qurʾān (as opposed to merely listening to it). The schools differ:
Ḥanafī: Reciting the Qurʾān — even a single āyah with the intention of recitation (tilāwah) — is not permitted during ḥayḍ. However, saying Qurʾānic words as duʿāʾ (e.g., "Rabbanā ātinā fī ad-dunyā ḥasanah") or as dhikr (e.g., "Bismillāhi ar-Raḥmāni ar-Raḥīm" before eating) without the intention of Qurʾānic recitation is permitted. Reading Qurʾān on a screen or from memory for the purpose of review (murājaʿah) by a student or teacher is debated — some later Ḥanafī scholars permitted it out of necessity.
Mālikī: The well-known Mālikī position permits recitation during ḥayḍ — especially for learning, teaching, and review. Imam Mālik held that the ḥadīth prohibiting recitation in ḥayḍ was not strong enough to establish a firm prohibition. This makes the Mālikī school the most permissive on this issue.
Shāfiʿī: Recitation is not permitted during ḥayḍ, even from memory. However, looking at the muṣḥaf and reading silently (moving the lips without producing sound) is debated — some Shāfiʿī scholars permitted it as it is technically not "recitation." Reading from a phone (which is not a muṣḥaf) is viewed more leniently by contemporary Shāfiʿī scholars.
Ḥanbalī: The official Ḥanbalī position prohibits recitation during ḥayḍ. However, the great Ḥanbalī scholar Ibn Taymiyyah held a well-known dissenting view: he argued that there is no authentic, explicit prohibition of Qurʾānic recitation during ḥayḍ, and therefore it is permissible — especially when needed for learning, teaching, or spiritual benefit. Many contemporary Ḥanbalī scholars follow this view.
Touching the muṣḥaf: The majority of scholars prohibit a menstruating woman from touching the physical muṣḥaf. Reading from a phone, tablet, or screen is generally permitted because electronic devices are not considered a muṣḥaf in the traditional sense.
Spiritual Practices to Embrace During Ḥayḍ
Rather than viewing your period as a "spiritual break," consider it an opportunity to deepen forms of worship you may not normally focus on:
Morning and evening adhkār: The structured dhikr routines after Fajr and before Maghrib are powerful — and fully permitted during ḥayḍ.
The 99 Names of Allah: Reflect on a Name each day. Make duʿāʾ using it. This builds a profound understanding of who you are worshipping.
Ṣalawāt upon the Prophet ﷺ: The scholars say that sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ is one of the greatest forms of dhikr. Set a daily target during your period.
Istighfār: Saying "Astaghfirullāh" or the sayyid al-istighfār is unrestricted and deeply purifying for the soul.
Journaling and reflection: Use this time for spiritual self-assessment — what are you grateful for? Where do you want to grow?
Listening to tafsīr or Islamic lectures: Deep engagement with knowledge is one of the highest forms of worship.
How Noor Supports You During Ḥayḍ
Noor Tracker doesn't go silent when your period starts. Instead, it shifts — offering you daily duʿāʾ rotations, dhikr suggestions, and spiritual reflections tailored to your cycle day. Because your relationship with Allah ﷻ doesn't pause when prayer does. Noor helps you stay spiritually connected every single day of your cycle.
This guide is based on established scholarly positions across the four madhhabs. For personal certainty or complex situations, we always recommend consulting a trusted scholar.
Stay spiritually connected — every day of your cycle
Noor offers daily duʿāʾ, dhikr, and reflections even during your period — because worship never truly stops.