Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa was asked whether a woman should break or complete her fast if her menstrual period started while the fasting. Moreover, once that period is over, could she clean herself [by performing ghusl] after suhoor or must she do so before it?
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, in a letter dated 30 April 2020, gave the following reply to this question:
“This natural condition of women is described by the Holy Quran as a state of ‘أَذًى [azaa]’ i.e. pain. Islam has exempted women from performing all kinds of acts of worship during this state. Therefore, the fast ends as soon as the menstrual period begins. Fasting can only be resumed once this period is completely over and one has completely washed and purified oneself. Moreover, the fasts that are missed during these days (including the two days of the onset and the end) can be completed at any time after Ramadan.”