For women, there are times when they do not fast in Ramadan because of the arrival of menstruation. Apart from fasting, religion also does not allow menstruating women to perform certain rituals.
Quoting the journal Palastren (2013) from the Center for Gender Studies at the Kudus State Islamic College, it is stated that a woman who menstruates in the month of Ramadan decreases in quantity of worship, but not necessarily in terms of the quality of her reward. If he feels sincere and patient with the nature of menstruation which is mandated by Allah SWT as well as the pain he suffers during menstruation, there is a possibility that his reward will exceed that of men.
Please note, menstruation does not prevent all worship, you know. Some of the Ramadan practices below you can still do when you are coming month.
1. Increase Dhikr and Prayers
The remembrance of Allah SWT and praying to the Prophet Muhammad is a practice that is recommended for anyone and at any time. This includes women who are unable to do so, so that they can increase their worship in the month of Ramadan.
Reading dhikr and prayer has virtues that can provide intercession until prayer is granted. There are many remembrance readings that can be practiced, such as tasbih, tahmid, takbir, tahlil, and others.
2. Pray
Praying to Allah SWT contains efforts to get closer and ask the Creator. Like dhikr and salat, praying can be done by anyone and at any time, in any language.
One of the virtues of prayer and remembrance is that it can be an introductory prayer so that Allah SWT accepts it.
3. Give charity
Allah SWT promises a double reward for those who give charity, especially in the month of Ramadan. Alms is a form for a Muslim to care for each other. Apart from being in the form of money, you can provide basic necessities or food and drinks for iftar and sahur.
Alms in the month of Ramadan has its own privileges, according to the words of the Prophet Muhammad,
"From Anas RA, a friend asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, what is the most important charity?' The Messenger of Allah replied, 'Alms in the month of Ramadan.'" (HR. At-Tirmidhi).
4. Preparing Iftar Meals
During Ramadan, preparing food and drinks for breaking the fast or sahur for fasting people is included in alms. Therefore, even if they do not participate in fasting, menstruating women can try to get a big reward by making iftar dishes for other people who are fasting.
From Zaid bin Khalid Al Juhani RA, he said that the Messenger of Allah said,
"Whoever feeds the fasting person, then he will get a reward like the fasting person without reducing the reward of the fasting person in the slightest." (HR. At-Tirmidhi no. 807).
5. Studying
Islam requires its people to seek knowledge because it has enormous benefits for themselves and others. As in the following words of the Prophet Muhammad,
"Whoever takes a path (way) to seek knowledge, then Allah makes it easy for him the path to heaven." (HR. Muslim no. 2699).
Women who are menstruating in the month of Ramadan are advised to make the best use of their time by equipping themselves with knowledge, such as reading books and listening to studies.