It is established in an authentic report that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, exempted menstruating women from the farewell circumambulation. As for those who maintain that ritual purity is obligatory for circumambulation and a condition of its validity, its status as a condition is no greater here than in prayer. It is well known that the conditions of prayer are waived when one is unable to fulfil them; there is therefore all the more reason to waive the conditions of circumambulation when one is unable to fulfil them.

This is the conclusion that appears sound to me on this issue. There is no power or strength except through Allah, the Most High, the Magnificent. Were it not for people’s pressing need for guidance on this issue, both in understanding and in practice, I would not have undertaken to discuss it, since I have found no discussion of it by anyone else. Exercising independent legal reasoning when necessity demands it is among the things Allah has commanded us to do.

If what I have said is correct, then it is the ruling of Allah and His Messenger, and all praise is due to Allah. If what I have said is mistaken, then it is from me and from Satan. Allah and His Messenger are free of error, even if the person who errs is pardoned.

Allah, glorified and exalted is He, knows best. All praise is due to Allah alone. May Allah bless Muhammad and his family and grant them peace.