MuslimKidsMatter | The Return of the Period

By Nura Fahzy

I’m not ashamed when I say this, because it’s real and both genders need to be aware of it.

Ready?

Periods are a literal pain in the gut during Ramadan.

You wanna know why I say that?

Alright, picture this. You’re lounging on the sofa with your smartphone, constantly switching through apps and checking every few minutes to see if Maghrib has come in yet. “Just three minutes left,” you tell yourself. When there’s one minute left, you keep your eyes focused on the clock, waiting for it to switch from 8:25 to 8:26. Your eyes cross from staring at the number 5 for too long. And then, all in one glorious second, the five switches to six, and the adhaan blares off from your phone. You slam your phone down on the sofa and nearly trip over your feet as you stampede towards the table you have prepared with a bowl of dates and a glass of water. After reciting your du’aa, you pick up three giant dates at once and stuff them into your mouth, followed by a gulp of water. Your body feels rejuvenated as the cold, refreshing liquid soothes your aching belly. After you’ve eaten just enough, you head to the bathroom to make wudu for Maghrib. Suddenly, you feel a sharp pain in your belly. It’s definitely not a hunger pang, because you’ve already eaten. An expression of despair begins to overtake your expression as you slowly realize…

Your period has returned.

Immediately, your mind pounds with panicked thoughts.

I’m screwed, I’m screwed. It’s Ramadan, and my period is back. It’s probably been there for hours. My fast didn’t count.

I know. I’ve experienced it. You’ve experienced it. We all have.

Except for dudes, of course.

Okay! This is where I come in. Listen up, guys and girls. Just because a girl’s period prevents her from fasting in Ramadan, it does not mean she is stronger to perform several tasks for those who are fasting. Why? Because cramps exist, people! Cramps hurt even more than that empty belly of yours! A girl on her period is probably dealing with even more pain than those who are fasting! Girls, have you ever been told to clean the house, cook the food, and take care of the little ones just because you supposedly have more strength? Huh! Seems like it’s a universal thing.

Oh, wait. Stop right there! Yes, I’m defending girls on their periods, but that doesn’t mean they can lie on their beds eating huge bowls of chocolate ice cream while they whine about their cramps. (Lying down while eating is disliked, anyway.) You can still stay productive during Ramadan even with your cramps! Your period may prevent you from making salah, fasting, and touching the Qur’an, but you can defeat that little monster using the advice I shall provide for you.

1. The Easiest Thing You Can Do Is Make Du’aa!!

Ah, yes. Du’aa. You know, the beautiful thing about du’aa is that you can make it anytime. You don’t need to be in a state of wudu, you don’t need to sit in a certain position, and, in some cases, you don’t even need to speak! No du’aa is ever wasted. And another great thing is, you can use du’aa to ease your period pains. Oh, but don’t just make du’aa for yourself! Make du’a for your family and friends, and even those you dislike! When you make du’aa for someone without them knowing, the angels will say, “Ameen, and for you as well.” What you give to others, you receive in return! Imagine how many great things can happen to you if you make du’aa for more than one person. Just imagine…

2. Can’t Touch the Qur’aan? Put That Electronic Device to Work!

The one great thing I find about modern-day electronic devices which we all know as smartphones, tablets, and iPods, is that you can download a Qur’aan app and read the Qur’aan from there, even if you’re on your period! And if you don’t want to recite, you can just listen to your favorite surahs by your favorite qaris on shuffle. Don’t make up excuses now. If you have a smartphone, use it for Qur’aan. And anyway, if you’re at the point in your life where you already have your period, you’re too old to make excuses.

3. Be A Maid

I know what I said before. Period pains can prevent you from doing any housework. But in those days when your period is almost over and the cramps don’t hurt as much, you can help out the fasting people in your house! You can clean the house, cook their iftaar and set the table, and entertain the little ones (if you have little ones). You can also play the Qur’aan for the others as they whine about their hunger (even though they’re supposed to be reading Qur’aan).

4. Do Something For Yourself!

Trying to ignore that exercising routine you made in 2011? Aching to put a new painting on your walls? Itching to try out that new cake recipe? Avoiding that book you’re writing because you let writer’s block overtake you? Well, procrastinate no further! Use these 30 days of blessings to feed your hobbies! It takes about 21 days to develop a habit, so if you train yourself every day to do something you love, you’ll never have a minute to waste. I’ve included this in the list because since you’ll be on your period, you’ll be able to eat and have a lot more energy and strength to do what you love.

5. Help Out the Community!

Do you live near a soup kitchen? Perhaps an animal shelter? Why not go and help out your community and earn more ajr by serving those in need? The Prophet (peace be upon him) told the sahabah that a person who feeds a fasting person gets the same reward as the fasting person. Imagine all the ajr you’ll get from feeding others while you yourself cannot fast! The more people you feed, the more reward you get. Think about that for a moment. And you can also offer to babysit kids while their mothers pray taraweeh. When kids are left roaming around in the musalla during taraweeh prayer, things can get pretty crazy. Why not earn yourself some ajr by entertaining the young ones and letting the mothers pray in peace?

Aside from the tips I have provided, there are a few more things I need to say. Mostly to YOU, dudes!

Guys, I know you have no idea what it’s like to have a period, but that doesn’t mean you can bash your female relatives for doing nothing during their shark weeks. Don’t tell her to do anything if her period has just started because that is where the pain is worst. Here’s a note to keep to yourselves: NEVER get a girl on her period angry! Give her a few days, and then see if she is comfortable completing tasks for you. Don’t think that just because she is able to eat, that she is stronger to do things that you can’t do. The body needs food during this time.

Oh, and girls, one more thing to note. Don’t treat your period as a hindrance during Ramadan. I know it’s annoying how you have to make up your fasts after Ramadan is over, but periods are natural and you should expect them to pop up during this month. Besides, if they never came throughout the whole month, I’d start worrying, wouldn’t you?

JazakumAllahu Khayran, dudes and dudettes, for taking the time to read this article! Girls, start working on your Ramadan productive schedule, alright? And dudes, please be respectful of girls on their shark weeks.

And that’s all I have to say! May we all have a productive Ramadan this year, ameen!

Nura F. is a young Muslimah with a strong passion for writing. She is currently working to join the writing industry for Islamic literature. When she is not writing, Nura spends her time drawing, baking, blogging, and reading. She really enjoys editing her friends’ pieces of writing as well. Nura currently resides in northern Texas.