A woman does not pray or fast while she has her period, and she does not touch the Quran in a physical copy (most scholars) or do tawaf, but she keeps her dhikr and dua. After it ends she bathes. She makes up the missed fasts but not the missed prayers: Aisha said this was what the Prophet's ﷺ wives were commanded.
1
What is forbidden during the period
Prayer and fasting. Neither is valid during the period.
Tawaf around the Kaaba. The Prophet ﷺ told Aisha to do all that pilgrims do except tawaf until she was pure.
Intercourse. The Quran says to keep away from women during menstruation and not to approach them until they are pure (2:222).
Staying in the mosque and touching a physical copy of the Quran, according to most scholars.
2
What remains allowed
Dhikr, dua, listening to the Quran and reciting without touching, which many scholars allow.
Being with the husband in every way except intercourse.
Attending Eid gatherings and entering the place of Hajj rites such as Arafah and Mina.
3
When it ends
She waits until the bleeding stops and the white discharge or complete dryness shows that she is clean, then takes ghusl.
She makes up the days of Ramadan she missed. She does not make up the prayers.
Where the schools differ
The four Sunni schools agree on the main ruling above and differ in these points. No school is preferred here.
Reciting the Quran by heart during the period. the Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools forbid it in the stronger view, while the Maliki school and many contemporary scholars allow it. Most allow it when needed (such as teaching or revision).
The shortest and the longest period. the schools differ on these numbers (for example the Hanafi school sets the shortest at three days and the longest at ten). When the bleeding does not follow her usual pattern, she should ask a scholar.
Note: Bleeding that goes on beyond the usual (istihadah) is treated differently: the woman prays and fasts. Ask a scholar or a trusted woman scholar about your own situation.
They question thee (O Muhammad) concerning menstruation. Say: It is an illness, so let women alone at such times and go not in unto them till they are cleansed. And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah hath enjoined upon you. Truly Allah loveth those who turn unto Him, and loveth those who have a care for cleanness.
From the Sunnah
1Sahih al-Bukhari 304Authentic collection
The point of the hadith: A woman does not pray or fast while she has her period.
Menstruation (hayd): the rules of prayer, fasting and worship
A woman does not pray or fast while she has her period, and she does not touch the Quran in a physical copy (most scholars) or do tawaf, but she keeps her dhikr and dua. After it ends she bathes. She makes up the missed fasts but not the missed prayers: Aisha said this was what the Prophet's ﷺ wives were commanded.
Is this a fatwa?
No. It is a summary of well-known rulings with their evidence. For your own case, ask a qualified scholar.
What if my school differs from this answer?
Follow the view of the school you follow and the scholar who teaches you. The page lists the differences of the four schools.
