Key points
- Prayers missed during haiz are not made up. Obligatory fasts missed are made up.
- If a period ends with time left to make ghusl and begin the prayer, that prayer is owed.
- If a period starts during a prayer time before you prayed, that prayer is not owed.
What pauses during haiz
| Act | During haiz and nifas |
|---|---|
| Salah | Not performed and not made up |
| Fasting | Not performed; obligatory fasts made up later |
| Touching the Quran | Not permitted (a separate cover or cloth is allowed) |
| Reciting the Quran | Not as recitation; verses may be read as dua or dhikr |
| Entering the masjid, tawaf | Not permitted |
| Intercourse | Not permitted; other affection is, except contact between navel and knees without a barrier |
| Dhikr, dua, salawat, listening to Quran, learning | All permitted and rewarded |
When a period starts during a prayer time
If your period begins after a prayer time has started but before you prayed it, that prayer is not owed and is not made up. If it begins while you are praying, the prayer is broken and is not made up either.
When a period ends: which prayer is owed
- If haiz ends before 10 days, a prayer is owed if enough of its time remains to make ghusl and say the opening takbir. If you miss it, make it up.
- If haiz ends at exactly 10 days, the prayer is owed if enough time remains just for the takbir; ghusl time is not counted.
- Do not delay ghusl to avoid a prayer. Make ghusl and pray as soon as the bleeding has ended.
Fasting: start and end
- If your period starts during a fasting day, even just before sunset, that fast is broken and must be made up.
- If it ends during the day in Ramadan, you must refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of that day, like those who are fasting, and make the day up later.
- If it ends before dawn (Fajr) and there is time to make ghusl and say the takbir before dawn when it ended before 10 days, the fast of that day is obligatory. You may also start the fast first and make ghusl after Fajr.
More in Ramadan and haiz.
Ghusl at the end
When the bleeding stops and the discharge is pure white or clean, make ghusl: rinse the mouth, rinse the nose and wash the entire body. See how to make ghusl after haiz.
Staying close to Allah
Haiz does not cut you off from worship. Dhikr, istighfar, salawat on the Prophet ﷺ, dua, charity and learning all continue. Some women keep sitting on their prayer mat at prayer times to make dhikr so the habit stays. See wellbeing and worship during your period.
This guide is educational and follows mainstream Hanafi positions. For your own situation, please consult a qualified scholar. See the disclaimer, the glossary and how rulings are worked out.