Islamic law requires women to record their menstrual cycles, including dates, times, and blood colors. This obligation helps resolve issues with abnormal bleeding patterns.
Reviewed by Ustad Abas Arshad, Islamic scholar, on
It is obligatory for every woman to record her menses, lochia, and purity habits to resolve issues with abnormal bleeding and distinguish between different types of blood.
It is obligatory for every woman to record her menses, lochia, and purity habits according to Islamic law. This requirement serves a crucial purpose when problems with abnormal bleeding occur, as the last menses, lochia, or purity habit a woman experienced is used to resolve her issue and distinguish between the types of blood.
This methodology is based upon various statements transmitted from the Prophet ﷺ. When the female Companions who experienced abnormal bleeding asked the Prophet ﷺ about how to deal with their circumstance, the Prophet ﷺ instructed them to stop praying for the amount of days that they used to menstruate, and to take a ghusl and resume praying after those days elapsed.
Thus, the way to resolve a woman's problem will be built upon what she saw in the past. Abnormal bleeding often occurs when a woman least expects it, and her habits are needed to clarify the rulings related to any bleeding that she is seeing.
A woman must record:
Some women use a small notebook as a diary to record their dates. Others log their dates and times using an Excel sheet. By far, the most popular option is to use a period phone app. This is certainly a convenient option.
If a woman chooses to use an electronic device or program to keep track of her habits and dates of bleeding, it is best to create a backup copy and store it in a second place as a safeguard.
If possible, it is advisable for women to be aware of the colors of blood they see just in case another madhab is used to resolve their problem.
A proper record should include detailed information about bleeding patterns. For example:
This detailed tracking helps establish clear patterns that can be referenced when understanding the habit in Hanafi menstruation rulings or when dealing with irregular bleeding situations.
Recording menstrual cycles is not merely recommended but obligatory for Muslim women. This practice ensures that when abnormal bleeding occurs, women have the necessary information to make proper Islamic rulings about their worship and ritual purity. Whether using traditional notebooks or modern apps, maintaining accurate records with backup copies is essential for following Islamic guidance correctly.
Why is recording menstrual cycles obligatory in Islam?
Recording menstrual cycles is obligatory because when abnormal bleeding occurs, a woman's past habits are used to resolve the issue and distinguish between different types of blood, following the methodology based on the Prophet's guidance.
What specific information must women record about their cycles?
Women must record the exact date and time any vaginal blood begins (including spotting) and the exact date and time any vaginal blood ends.
What are the best methods for recording menstrual data?
Women can use notebooks, Excel sheets, or period apps. However, electronic methods should have backup copies stored separately since phones can crash or get lost when the information is urgently needed.
Should women also record the colors of menstrual blood?
Yes, it is advisable for women to be aware of the colors of blood they see, just in case another madhab is used to resolve their problem.
Recording blood colors is advisable for potential madhab consultations
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Reviewed by
Islamic scholar
Ijazah in the Islamic sciences, with an unbroken chain of transmission, Trained in issuing fatwa in the Hanafi madhab, Jamia Al-Karam; Al-Azhar University
Co-founder of flowdays. He reviews the articles in the flowdays library.
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