assalamualaikum sisters,
I was sitting with my sisters at the Mosque when a friend of mine approached me she said "Dear sister, I highly value your religious knowledge and seek help from you. My daughter would like to use tampons and I told her that it is haram. Is that correct?"
Well I had explained to the mother that their is absolutely no proof in the Quran saying that a tampon is not allowed. Simply because their was no such thing as a "tampon" back then. The renowned Hanafi jurist (faqih), Allama Ibn Abidin (Allah have mercy on him) mentions the following points in his commentary on Imam al-Barkawi’s treatise on the fiqh of menstruation, Manhal al-waridin min bihar al-faydh ala Zukhr al-muta’ahilin fi masa’il al-haydh: Based on the above, there is nothing wrong with a muslim girl using modern tampons.
It was a customary practice among Muslim women in the past to have special clothes for stemming the menstrual blood. Modern tampons are not much different from what women used in the past. Hence, there is nothing wrong with women using tampons if it is easier for them.
In Islamic Shari`ah, permissibility is the original rule governing things as long as there is no evidence to indicate prohibition. So it is not correct to say that this is not allowed. In fact, there are reports which indicate that it is permitted to use cotton to check the flow of blood. I have never heard anyone suggest that using a tampon to control menses is haram (and I know of several writings which assert that virginity can not be lost except by actual sexual penetrations). I have spoken to many Islamic scholars and we all have agreed upon the fact that it is more clean and hygienic to use a tampon. For example when you are wearing a pad the impure menstural blood is being rubed all over your vagina and inner thighs then you would not be able to read the Quran (you are allowed to read the Quran on your period as long as you do not physically touch the Quran). But If you we're wearing a tampon their are not any leaks and you can read the Quran.
If your daughter wants to wear a tampon let her try! Their could be a chance that she won't even like tampons and say " mom you were right pads are great." But honestly as a mother of 2 daughters who yes wear tampons, I can understand what you are worried about. Most likely things like "what if she leaves it in longer than eight hours?"Or maybe even will she loose her virginity to a tampon?" Some mothers only will let their daughters wear tampons after they are married. Some mothers think that the Vagina, the whole the tampon is inserted in will get bigger. No, tampons don't make your vagina bigger. Only sexual arousal has any effect of your vagina, and then its only because the vaginal muscles relax. When you're no longer aroused, they go back to the way they were before (the same size). It is sad to hear that our poor daughters have to miss out on things while on their period. Especially if your daughter is active its best to get tampons for swimming and other sports.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to write back!
May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.
