The questions sisters ask.
Short excerpts from Ayatollah A. Sistani's office, full source on every page. Curated, not interpreted. For your own situation, follow your marja's office.
Ghusl
- A woman is in janabat and her monthly period starts. Can she perform a single later ghusl with both intentions? Yes per A. Sistani. One ghusl with the intention of both ghusl al-hayd and ghusl al-janabat is sufficient. She can also perform ghusl al-janabat while still in hayd, then perform ghusl al-hayd separately when bleeding ends.
- Can one ghusl satisfy multiple intentions. For example, both ghusl al-hayd and ghusl al-janabat? Per A. Sistani, yes. A single ghusl with the intention of multiple obligatory ghusls (or multiple recommended ghusls) is sufficient.
- How is ghusl performed by a Shia woman after her period (tartibi method)? Per A. Sistani. Intention (niyyah) for ghusl, then wash head and neck, then the rest of the body. It is better to wash the right side first and then the left side.
Menopause and yās
Hayd and marriage
- Can a marriage contract (ʿaqd al-nikāḥ) be performed while the woman is in hayd? Yes. A. Sistani says there is no problem performing the marriage contract during hayd. Sexual intercourse during hayd is separately prohibited.
- Is sexual intercourse permitted during hayd? Per A. Sistani, vaginal sexual intercourse during hayd is unlawful for both the husband and the wife. Anal intercourse without her consent is also not permitted, by obligatory precaution.
Quran and worship during hayd
- Can a Shia woman read, recite, listen to, or touch the Quran during her period? Yes she can read it, except verses of obligatory sajdah. She cannot touch the script. She can listen, even to obligatory-sajdah verses, but must perform sajdah immediately if she hears one.
- Can a Shia woman recite or memorise the Quran during her period? Yes, except for the four verses of obligatory sajdah. Those are forbidden during hayd, janabat, and nifas.
- Can a woman in hayd listen to a recitation that includes a verse of obligatory sajdah? Per A. Sistani, listening is not haram. But if she hears a verse of obligatory sajdah being recited, she must perform the prostration (sajdah) immediately.