1/134. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 361 — Menstrual Blood on Clothes
A Woman Washes Her Garment That She Wears During Her Menses [To Pray In]
Hadith About Menstrual Blood on Clothes and Purity for Prayer
Sunan Abi Dawud : 361
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 361
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ الْمُنْذِرِ، عَنْ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ سَأَلَتِ امْرَأَةٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَرَأَيْتَ إِحْدَانَا إِذَا أَصَابَ ثَوْبَهَا الدَّمُ مِنَ الْحَيْضَةِ كَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ قَالَ " إِذَا أَصَابَ إِحْدَاكُنَّ الدَّمُ مِنَ الْحَيْضِ فَلْتَقْرِصْهُ ثُمَّ لْتَنْضَحْهُ بِالْمَاءِ ثُمَّ لْتُصَلِّي " .
Asma' daughter of Abu Bakr Narrated from:
A woman asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): Messenger of Allah, what do you think if the clothe of any of us smeared with the blood of menstruation; what should she do ? He said: If (the clothe of) any of you is smeared with blood of menstruation, she should scratch it; then she should sprinkle water upon it and then she may pray.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 361In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 361English translation : Book 1, Hadith 361
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 361
This hadith answers a very practical question: what should someone do when menstrual blood gets on clothing? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave a clear and simple process. The stain should be scratched, water should be sprinkled on it, and then the person may pray in that garment. The main point is not shame or fear, but purity for prayer. The hadith about menstrual blood on clothes shows that worship is tied to cleanliness, and that cleaning a blood stain can be handled in a direct way. It also shows that women asked real-life questions, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered them with useful guidance that could be followed at home.
What we learn from this hadith
- Menstrual blood on clothing should be treated before praying in that garment.
- The text mentions scratching the blood and sprinkling water on the affected area.
- Prayer may be performed in the garment after the stated cleaning steps.
- Questions about purity can be asked openly and answered with clear guidance.
