Menstruation was never called “dirty” in the Qur’an. That idea came from culture and other religions.

Menstruation was never called “dirty” in the Qur’an. ‎Allah says:‎“They ask you about menstruation. Say: it is adha…” (2:222)

‎Not “najas.” Not “rijs.” Not “filth.”

‎Allah chose the word adha (أذى). And that choice is precise.

‎The Qur’an already has words for impurity. It did not use them.

‎When Allah describes filth, He uses words like:

‎•Rijs (رجس) → impurity, defilement

‎•Najas (نجس) → ritual impurity

‎•Khabeeth (خبيث) → foul, corrupt

‎But for menstruation? Alsh chose Adha.

‎Linguistically, Adha means “a minor hurt,” “discomfort,” or “strain.”

The Qur’an never said: “She is adha.”

It said: menstruation is adha.

This is KEY

The pain is difficult. The process is heavy.

But the woman herself was never labeled impure as a being.Allah separated the condition from her identity. That distinction is mercy.

‎Before Islam, menstruating women were pariahs: exiled, cursed, untouchable.

‎Then Allah said: “So keep away from women during menstruation…” (2:222).

‎The world heard “shun.” But the Prophet ﷺ showed us the DIVINE meaning.

‎Not isolation. Not exile. Not emotional distance.‎Only intercourse was restricted. Everything else remained normal. ‎Eating together. Sitting together. Sleeping beside each other. Her humanity was untouched.

‎The Prophet ﷺ didn’t just clarify; he LIVED the distinction.

‎He made a point to be more affectionate.

‎Aisha (RA) said: “I would drink when I was menstruating, then hand the cup to the Prophet ﷺ and he would put his mouth where mine had been.” (Muslim)

‎He drank from her exact spot. He was actively dismantling stigma!

‎Even more profoundly:

‎Aisha (RA) also narrated: “The Prophet ﷺ would recline in my lap while I was menstruating, and he would recite the Quran.” (Bukhari)

‎Let that sink in: The Word of Allah recited into the lap of a “menstruating” woman. If she were “dirty” or “spiritually stained,” this would be utterly impossible.

‎This wasn’t just love; it was a theological statement to every man who would ever follow him. Women are excused from salah and fasting.

Not because they are spiritually inferior. But because Allah says:

“Allah intends for you ease, and does not intend hardship for you.” (2:185)

Menstruation is acknowledged as adha, a burden. So Allah reduced her obligations

But Her heart remains capable of dhikr.Her tongue remains capable of du’a. Her worth remains intact. Nothing in the Qur’an says Allah distances Himself from her during this time. The Qur’an never called menstruation dirty.

It called it adha. Discomfort. Difficulty. Mercy-worthy strain.

The shame many feel today was never revealed by Allah. It was inherited from people. From cultures.

Allah honored you, Your rest is an act of ibadah. Your patience with the adha is a form of ibadah

©️ Aiisha Dahi

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