Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Asalaam-alai-kum wa Rahmatullah wa Barkatuh,
I am not sure if I chose the correct category for my question but I`d be most obliged to receive an answer.
I would like to know if there is any dua (and if it is then what is it?) for a woman suffering from heavy menstrual periods due to fibroids or some other reason.
I would also like to know if it is correct for a woman to sit and perform salah when there are strange men present in the vincinity? (this was suggested to me by someone who said a woman in prayer should make herself as inconspicuous as possible if strange men are around)
Kindly let me know at the earliest.
Jazakallah. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Women pray sitting

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: I would like to know if there is any dua (and if it is then what is it?) for a woman suffering from heavy menstrual periods due to fibroids or some other reason.
To the best of our knowledge sister, there is no specific dua or supplication mentioned in the Sunnah for a woman suffering from heavy menstrual discharge, but one who is suffering from any physical pain or illness, may and should make supplications to their Lord to make their trial easy for them.

One of the best supplications to make when one is visited by a trial from Allah Subhanah in the form of a physical disease is the dua made by the Prophet Ayyub (a.s.) to Allah Subhanah during his long illness, as related by Allah Subhanah in the Glorious Quran.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 21 Surah Anbiyaa verses 83-84:

83 And (remember) Ayyub when he cried to his Lord "Truly distress has seized me, but Thou art the Most Merciful of those that are merciful."

84 So We listened to him: We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his people to him and doubled their number as a Grace from Ourselves and a thing for commemoration for all who serve Us.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 6.535 Narrated by Aisha

Whenever Allah's Messenger (saws) became sick, he (saws) would recite Mu'awwidhat (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas) and then blow his breath over his body. When he became seriously ill, I used to recite (these two Suras) and rub his hands over his body hoping for its blessings.

Your Question: I would also like to know if it is correct for a woman to sit and perform salah when there are strange men present in the vincinity? (this was suggested to me by someone who said a woman in prayer should make herself as inconspicuous as possible if strange men are around)
To the best of our knowledge, there is no specific command or guidance from the Messenger of Allah (saws) stating the difference between the postures of the male or female believing slave while in the state of prayer. Bukhari related that the Messenger of Allah (saws) gave a general command to the believers, men and women alike: ‘Pray as you have seen me pray.’

There is a mention of some companions like Hadrat Abdullah ibn Umar (r.a.) who asked his women to crouch close to their bodies when performing the ‘rukoo’ and ‘sujood’ while praying in public, so that they would be able to honor their ‘satr’ in a better manner and thus their curves while bending would not be very obvious to the non-mehram men, if they were around. But that guidance from the scholar and companion of the stature of Hadrat Abdullah ibn Umar (r.a.) would not in any way effect the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (saws) for the believing men and women alike: ‘Pray as you have seen me pray.’

Although it is permissible in Shariah for the believers to offer their prayers in a sitting position if they are sick, or unwell, or for an absolutely valid and genuine reason, it is absolutely preferred that if one is able to stand and offer their prayers, they should always do so.

Reported 'Umar ibn Hussain, "I had some physical problem, so I asked the Prophet (saws) about the prayer, and he said, 'Pray standing; if you are not able to stand then sit and pray, if you are not able to (do even that), then pray (while lying) on your side." Related by al-Bukhari.

For a believing woman who is able to stand and offer her prayers and she chooses to pray in a sitting position only because there are non-mehram men in her vicinity, would not be in accordance with guidance or the Sunnah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan