الحج — أحكام شرعية

Nifas (postpartum bleeding) follows essentially the same rulings as menstruation (hayd) regarding its impact on الحج rituals. A woman in nifas may enter الإحرام, recite the talbiyah, stand at عرفة, stay at مزدلفة, stone the jamarat, and perform all other الحج rites — the only act she cannot perform is الطواف around the الكعبة, which requires ritual purity (taharah). This ruling is based on النبي's instruction to Asma bint Umays, who gave birth at the الميقات during the Farewell Pilgrimage: he told her to perform الغسل, bind herself, enter الإحرام, and perform all the rites except الطواف until she became pure (Muslim). The maximum duration of nifas عند جمهور العلماء is 40 days, after which any bleeding is considered istihadah (irregular bleeding) and does not prevent worship.

If a woman's nifas ends before the days of الحج, she performs الغسل and proceeds with all rites normally. If nifas ends during the الحج days (8th-13th ذو الحجة), she performs الغسل and completes الطواف al-ifadah as soon as she is pure. If nifas continues throughout the الحج period but she must leave المملكة العربية السعودية before it ends, scholars have discussed whether she may perform الطواف in her state of impurity if there is no alternative. The Hanbali position, supported by Ibn Taymiyyah, allows a woman who cannot wait to perform الطواف al-ifadah while in nifas if she has no option of staying, provided she cleans herself, pads securely, and performs الطواف. This is the position of necessity (darurah) and should not be adopted except when genuinely unavoidable. Consult a qualified scholar regarding your specific situation.

Women who have recently given birth should carefully consider the timing of their الحج. If your delivery date is close to the الحج season, consult your obstetrician about expected postpartum recovery and bleeding duration. Most women's nifas concludes within 2 to 4 weeks, with 40 days being the scholarly maximum. If you can reasonably delay travel until nifas is complete, this eliminates the complication entirely. For women who will definitely be in nifas during الحج, prepare practically: bring ample sanitary supplies, comfortable clothing that accommodates postpartum changes, and any prescribed postpartum الأدوية. The physical demands of الحج are significant, and a woman who has recently given birth should be realistic about her energy levels. Consider having a dedicated companion who can assist with carrying items and navigating crowds.

Women in nifas during الحج sometimes feel distressed about not being able to perform الطواف on their preferred schedule. It is important to remember that your الحج is valid and that the scholars unanimously agree that a woman's inability to perform الطواف due to nifas does not diminish her الحج. Use the time when you cannot enter the مسجد for other forms of worship — dhikr (remembrance of Allah), دعاء (الدعاء), listening to القرآن, and reflecting on the spiritual أهمية of the journey. The companions of النبي experienced these same challenges during their الحجs, and النبي's compassion and practical guidance for women in these situations demonstrates that Islam accommodates women's natural biological processes without spiritual penalty. Your patience and continued devotion during this challenging time is itself a form of worship.