1) Ghusl (Ritual Bath)

All ghusls are done in the same way and pattern. They only differ in the Niyyah (intention). After making intention follow these 3 steps:

• First wash the head and neck

• Wash the right side from shoulder to the tip of the toe.

• Wash the left side from the shoulder to the tip of the toe.

The above ruling is as per Imam Khomeini.1 According to his rulings one must follow the succession specified above for the ghusl to be valid, meaning the head and neck first and then the right side and then the left side.

Note 1: As per Ayatullah Sistani a woman must wash head and neck first and then it is better to wash the right side first and then the left. If someone after washing her head and neck washes her left side and then the right side, or washes them both together, the ghusl is still valid as per Ayatullah Sistani.

Note 2: Imagine and divide yourself in 2 halves. If the water while washing the right side reaches the left side, and vice versa, it is not a problem, and the ghusl is okay. Make sure to let the water reach all the parts of the body, even under the feet.

Note 3: Imam Khomeini2 says that wudhu is wajib after taking all the ghusls except Ghusl Janabat, if someone wants to carry out any acts of worship that require wudhu.

But Ayatullah Sistani says wudhu is not necessary after any wajib ghusl (except after Istihadha al-Mutawassitah as per Ihtiyat al-Wajib) or mustahab ghusl (only after ghusls listed in Ruling 633 in the Islamic laws) 3.

Note: According to Ayatullah Sistani if a woman gets junub or touches a dead body after it gets cold while she is in the state of haidh, she can do her ghusl e-masḥ al-mayyit4or ghusl al-janabat in the state of haidh.5She can also do mustahab ghusls- except ghusl al-juma’6- in the state of haidh.7

2) Dress Code, Hijab (Islamic Covering)

Observing hijab is obligatory. The body must be covered (in the presence of a non-mahram), except the two parts mentioned below. Proper hijab is when the body is covered in loose clothing so the shape of a woman is not apparent. Also, the clothing must not be considered beautifying/ornamental.

• The amount of face that is washed during wudhu, without makeup.

• Hands from wrist to fingertips.

Note: During Salat, if there are no non-mahrams around, feet (from toes to ankles) need not be covered, and socks need not be worn. But the ankle itself and above it must be covered.

3) Mahram And Non-Mahram

Mahram: Someone with whom marriage is prohibited. Women need not observe Hijab in their presence. Example: Father, Brother etc.

Non-Mahram: Someone with whom marriage is allowed. One should observe Hijab (Islamic covering), in their presence. Example: Paternal and Maternal cousins.

Mahrams For A Woman

• Father

• Brother

• Paternal uncle (father’s brother)

• Maternal uncle (mother’s brother)

• Maternal and paternal grandfathers, and their fathers

• Mother’s maternal and paternal uncles

• Father’s maternal and paternal uncles

• Half-brothers (where one parent is common)

• Husband

• Father-in-law

• Husband’s paternal grandfather, and their fathers

• Husband’s maternal grandfather, and their fathers

• Husband’s sons

• Husband’s grandsons.

• Son and sons of her children

• Nephew – son of her sister

• Nephew – son of her brother

• Son-in-law

The remaining men are non-mahrams, however there may be exceptions to this rule by way of marriage and with certain conditions explained in detail in the books of Fiqh. A good example: This woman’s husband dies, after the days of ‘iddah’ the brother of her husband may marry this woman and thus will become her Mahram.

A sister’s husband is non-mahram. As long as one’s sister is married to him and is living, he cannot marry his wife’s sister. This is why one needs to observe Hijab in his presence.

Similarly, the husband’s brothers are also non-mahrams to the wife.

4) Menopause

• Most women stop menstruating between the ages of 45 to 55, which is called Menopause.

• Sayyids (women from the progeny of our Holy Prophet (S)) may see haidh up until the age of 60 as per the Lunar Calendar.

But Non-Sayyids (a woman whose father is not a Sayyid, even if her mother is Sayyid) may see their periods up until the age of 50 as per the Lunar Calendar (Which is approximately 48 ½ yrs Solar Calendar).

• As per Imam Khomeini if a Sayyid woman sees blood after the age of 60 Lunar years, even though the blood seen is in her days of habit (haidh), she should consider this blood to be Istihadha. She should follow all the rulings that apply to her. (Please check the Istihadha Section to see what type of Istihadha she is experiencing).

• Similarly, as per Imam Khomeini if a Non-Sayyid sees blood after the age of 50 Lunar Years, even though the blood seen is in her days of habit (haidh), she should consider this blood to be Istihadha. She should follow all the rulings that apply to her.8 (Please check the Istihadha Section to see what type of Istihadha she is experiencing).

Note: As per Ayatullah Sistani a woman may see haidh up until the age of 60 Lunar years (Which is approximately 58 years and 3 months solar calendar). However, Its Ihtiyat al-Mustahab(if she wishes) for a Non-Sayyid woman between the ages of 50 to 60 Lunar years who sees blood every month to do ‘Jum’ (Check Scenario’s (5 thru 6) of Ayatullah Sistani ruling).

Scenarios (1 Thru 4) As Per Imam Khomeini

• Scenario 1: A Non-Sayyid woman who is 42 Lunar years has been seeing blood continuously for a month. She thinks that she should have menopause by now. What is the ruling as per Imam Khomeini?

Answer: First of all, she is a Non-Sayyid, she is not yet reached to the age of 50 Lunar years, and therefore she still has time for reaching menopause. Since she is seeing blood and is not 50 yet, she will not be considered as having reached menopause. As a result, the days of her habit would be haidh and all the other days would be Istihadha.

• Scenario 2: A Non-Sayyid woman who is 51 Lunar Years has been seeing blood around the time of her days of habit (haidh). What is the ruling as per Imam Khomeini?

Answer: After the age of 50 (Lunar) as per Islamic Jurisprudence a Non-Sayyid woman is in Menopause. If she sees any blood even though it might have the traces of haidh she should consider it as Istihadha. She should follow all the rulings that apply to her.9 (Please check the Istihadha section to see what type of Istihadha she is experiencing).

• Scenario 3: A Sayyid woman who is 55 Lunar years. She has been seeing blood continuously for a month. She thinks that she should have menopause by now. What is the ruling as per Imam Khomeini?

Answer: First of all, she is a Sayyid, she has not yet reached to the age of 60 Lunar years, and she still has time for reaching menopause. Since she is seeing blood and is not 60 yet, she will not be considered as having reached menopause. As a result, the days of her habit will be haidh and all the other days will be Istihadha.

• Scenario 4: A Sayyid woman who is 61 Lunar Years has been seeing blood around the time of her days of habit (haidh). What is the ruling as per Imam Khomeini?

Answer: After the age of 60 (Lunar) as per Islamic Jurisprudence a Sayyid woman is in Menopause. If she sees any blood even though it might have the signs of haidh etc she should consider it as Istihadha. She should follow all the rulings that apply to her. (Please check the Istihadha section to see what type of Istihadha she is experiencing).

Scenario’s (5 Thru 6) As Per Ayatullah Sistani

• Scenario 5: A Non-Sayyid woman who is 52 Lunar years. She has been seeing blood continuously for a month. She thinks that she should have menopause by now. What is the ruling as per Ayatullah Sistani?

Answer: This woman should treat it the days of her habit as haidh and the rest Istihadha because this woman is not 60 lunar yrs yet. However, Ayatullah Sistani says that this woman can do Jum in the days of haidh, if she wishes.

• Scenario 6: A Non-Sayyid woman who is 61 Lunar Years has been seeing blood around the time of her days of habit (haidh). What is the ruling as per Ayatullah Sistani?

Answer: After the age of 60 (Lunar) as per Islamic Jurisprudence a Non-Sayyid or Sayyid woman is in Menopause. If she sees any blood even though it might have the traces of haidh she should consider it as Istihadha.10 She should follow all the rulings that apply to her. (Please check the Istihadha Section to see what type of Istihadha she is experiencing).

• 1. Rahbar (Khamenei) has the same opinion.
• 2. Rahbar (Khamenei) has the same opinion.
• 3. Sistani, Islamic Laws, Ruling 389, 633.
  https://www.sistani.org/english/book/48/2168
• 4. If someone touches a dead body after it gets cold, has to perform a ghusl with the intention of ghusl e-masḥ al-Mayyit.
• 5. Sistani allows it but some Marja’s do not allow.
• 6. She can do ghusl al-juma’ with the intention of Raja’ رجاء.
• 7. Sistani, Masail al-Jami’i, vol. 1, p. 202-203, masalah 527, Persian Translation.
• 8. According to Rahbar (Khamenei) if a Non-Sayyid sees blood after 50 yrs (lunar calendar), she has to do jum (please refer to the glossary) as per Ihtiyat al-Wajib (she can refer to another Marja’, like Sistani, in this case and take it as haidh).
• 9. According to Rahbar (Khamenei) if a Non-Sayyid sees blood after 50 yrs (lunar calendar), she has to do jum (please refer to the glossary) as per Ihtiyat al-Wajib (she can refer to another Marja’, like Sistani, in this case and take it as haidh).
• 10. Sistani, Women’s Religious Rules under Ruling on blood seen before 9 and after 60 of age; accessed from sistani.org