Spirituality Through The Cycle
Ebook launch! Harness your spirituality in harmony with your menstrual cycle.
Meaningful worship extends beyond the physical act – khushu’ is inner concentration, when a persons mind and heart are focused on Allah, while muhasaba is the practice of self-examination, and tazkiyya is purification of the soul. Islam encourages a mind-body connection during worship, making it an immersive, heartfelt experience.
The menstrual cycle is an intricate rhythm in the female body that massively impacts the way women function throughout the month. Each of the four phases bring with it unique changes in hormones, appetite, energy, sociability, and more. Have you ever felt burnt out after a day of socialising at a masjid event even though you spent days perpetrating for it and was looking forward to it? Do you find fasting is significantly easier in the middle of your cycle than the days immediately before your period is due?These fluctuations are normal; our intuition and connection to our femininity can help us tune into when our body is calling for different types of (optional) worship.
When we begin to accept the natural rhythms of the menstrual cycle, we can ease into our femininity and begin to worship Allah from a place of flow, confidence and relaxation. This is opposed to forcing oneself to feel the same everyday (both emotionally and with how ‘close’ one feels to Allah), act the same everyday (by trying to replicate the exact amount and type of optional worship), and be harsh and critical towards oneself when things don’t go exactly to plan. Only Allah knows the wisdom behind why women have such varied experiences throughout their cycles but of course biologically, we are wired to procreate and this miracle can only happen through the fluctuation of the phases in a woman’s body. So, we might as well work with it, lean into it, and harness it with the hopes of building our spirituality.
When we tune into our emotions and mood, certain aspects of nafl (optional) ibadah feel so much more meaningful and in sync with one’s natural state. Take, for example, the emotional and highly sensitive pre-period phase: women often feel more prone to reactive outbursts, and view both themselves and others with a critical eye. In this delicate time when you may find yourself crying easily and feeling low, calling Allahs names “Ya Muqsitu” and “Ya Waarithu” can feel especially meaningful; Al-Muqsit is the Most Fair and Just – Ya Muqsitu, allow me to judge myself and others fairly without being overly critical – while Al-Waarith is the Supporter – Ya Warithu, when I feel alone and hurt, stuck in evaluating my life, support me. Calling upon specific names of Allah either in dedicated moments of du’a or in your heart as you go about your day is just one of the wonderful benefits of harmonising your menstrual cycle with your spirituality.
Spirituality Through The Cycle contains many more suggestions for channeling the strengths of your menstrual cycle into your ‘ibadah and, inshaAllah, increasing your spirituality through Ramadan and beyond. Download a free copy for yourself, and share the link with as many women as you can to secure your sadaqah jaariya. I pray it will be of benefit to myself as well as all who come across it. Ramadan Mubarak!🌙
i needed to read this! was feeling sad because i’m unfortunately on my menses in these last 10 days of ramadan :( but this and your spirituality through the cycle has motivated me to continue my ibadah regardless Insha’Allah. jazakallah khair ♡