provided she makes a sacrificial offering, as some followers of Abū Hanīfah and Ahmad hold, it is all the more fitting and appropriate for them to affirm its validity when she does have an excuse. As for bathing, it is good if she does so, just as women who are menstruating or experiencing postnatal bleeding bathe before entering ihrām. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

What should a woman do if her menstruation begins at the time of circumambulation?

He replied:

Praise be to Allah.

A menstruating woman performs all the pilgrimage rites except circumambulation of the House. She must make every effort to circumambulate the House only when ritually pure. If she cannot do so and cannot remain behind after the caravan departs until she becomes pure and performs circumambulation, then, according to one of the two scholarly views, her circumambulation of visitation while menstruating is valid.

Abū Hanīfah and others held that it is valid even if she has no excuse, but he required her to offer a badanah (large sacrificial animal). Ahmad, however, required someone who omitted ritual purification out of forgetfulness to make a sacrificial offering consisting of a sheep. As for this woman who cannot perform circumambulation while ritually pure, offering a sacrifice is the more cautious course; otherwise, it is not clear that she owes anything. For Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.

And He, Most High, said:

“So fear Allah as much as you are able.”

And the Prophet said: