Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when a woman would menstruate, the Jews would neither eat with her nor have intercourse with her. When the Companions asked the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about this, Allah Almighty revealed this verse: {وَیَسْأَلُونَکَ عَنِ الْمَحِیْضِ قُلْ ہُوَ أَذًی فَاعْتَزِلُوا النِّسَائَ فِی الْمَحِیْضِ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوہُنَّ حَتَّی یَطْہُرْنَ فَاِذَا تَطَھَّرْنَ فَأْتُوْھُنَّ مِنْ حَیْثُ اَمَرَکُمُ اللّٰہُ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِیْنَ وَیُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَھِّرِیْنَ۔} … They ask you about menstruation. Say: It is a discomfort, so keep away from women during menstruation and do not approach them until they are clean. But when they have purified themselves, then go to them as Allah has commanded you. Indeed, Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves. (Surah Al-Baqarah: 222) The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: You may do everything except intercourse.

It is narrated from Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that when she became menstruating at the place of Sarif before entering Makkah (on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to her: You should do everything that the pilgrims do, except that you should not perform the Tawaf of the House (Ka'bah).

It is narrated from Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who, while relating the story of Sayyida Umm Habiba bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her), says: The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to her: When the blood of menstruation begins, then leave off the prayer, and when it ends, then perform ghusl (ritual bath) and start praying again.

Mu’adhah says: I asked Sayyidah A’ishah (RA): What is the reason that a menstruating woman makes up missed fasts but does not make up missed prayers? She said to me: Are you from the region of Harura? I said: No, I am not a Haruriyyah, I am just asking a question. So she said: We used to experience menstruation during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and we were commanded regarding some things and not commanded regarding others. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would order us to make up missed fasts but would not order us to make up missed prayers.