হজ্জ — ফিকহি বিধান

Nifas (postpartum bleeding) follows essentially the same rulings as menstruation (hayd) regarding its impact on হজ্জ rituals. A woman in nifas may enter ইহরাম, recite the talbiyah, stand at আরাফাত, stay at মুযদালিফা, stone the jamarat, and perform all other হজ্জ rites — the only act she cannot perform is তাওয়াফ around the কাবা শরীফ, which requires ritual purity (taharah). This ruling is based on নবী করীম's instruction to Asma bint Umays, who gave birth at the miqat during the Farewell Pilgrimage: he told her to perform গোসল, bind herself, enter ইহরাম, and perform all the rites except তাওয়াফ until she became pure (Muslim). The maximum duration of nifas জমহুর উলামাদের মতে 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 হজ্জ, she performs গোসল and proceeds with all rites normally. If nifas ends during the হজ্জ days (8th-13th Dhul Hijjah), she performs গোসল and completes তাওয়াফ al-ifadah as soon as she is pure. If nifas continues throughout the হজ্জ period but she must leave Saudi Arabia before it ends, scholars have discussed whether she may perform তাওয়াফ 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 তাওয়াফ al-ifadah while in nifas if she has no option of staying, provided she cleans herself, pads securely, and performs তাওয়াফ. 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 হজ্জ. If your delivery date is close to the হজ্জ 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 হজ্জ, prepare practically: bring ample sanitary supplies, comfortable clothing that accommodates postpartum changes, and any prescribed postpartum medication. The physical demands of হজ্জ 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 হজ্জ sometimes feel distressed about not being able to perform তাওয়াফ on their preferred schedule. It is important to remember that your হজ্জ is valid and that the scholars unanimously agree that a woman's inability to perform তাওয়াফ due to nifas does not diminish her হজ্জ. Use the time when you cannot enter the মসজিদ for other forms of worship — dhikr (remembrance of Allah), dua (দোয়া), listening to কুরআন, and reflecting on the spiritual significance of the journey. The companions of নবী করীম experienced these same challenges during their হজ্জs, and নবী করীম'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.