just as she is barred from it when undertaking spiritual retreat (iʿtikāf). (1) Likewise, (2) the Almighty said to Abraham, peace be upon him: “And purify My House for those who circumambulate it, those who stand, and those who bow and prostrate” (3) — al-Hajj 22:26. He therefore (4) commanded that it be kept pure for these acts of worship, and a menstruating woman was consequently prevented from entering it.

The scholars are unanimously agreed (5) that tawaf does not require what prayer requires—such as the opening takbir, the closing salam, recitation, and the like—nor is it nullified by what nullifies prayer, such as eating, drinking, speaking, and so on. Accordingly, (6) the logical implication of the view that bars a menstruating woman out of respect for the mosque is that ritual purity is not a condition for tawaf; rather, his position entails that it is permissible for her to perform it [when necessity demands, just as it is permissible for her] (7) to enter the mosque when a need arises.

Allah the Exalted has ordered that His House be purified for those who circumambulate, those who stay in retreat, and those who bow and prostrate. The person in retreat is not required to be in a state of ritual purity, nor is minor ablution incumbent upon him, (8) by unanimous agreement of the Muslims. If a woman engaged in retreat begins to menstruate and necessity obliges her to remain inside, that is permissible. As for