We were commanded to bring out the men-struous women and those who were secluded on the day of the two festivals so that they might be present at the congregational prayer of the Muslims and their supplication, but the menstruous women had to keep at a distance from their place of prayer. A woman said,
“Messenger of God, one of our number does not possess an outer garment." He replied, “Let her friend lend her hers."
‘A’isha said that Abu Bakr came to visit her during the days spent at Mina when she had with her two girls who were playing the tambourine—a version says they were singing what the Ansar said to one another at the battle of Bu'ath*-while the Prophet was wrapped in his garment. Abu Bakr rebuked them, whereupon the Prophet uncovered his face and said, “Let them alone, Abu Bakr; these are days of festival." In a version , “Abu Bakr, every people has a festival, and this is ours.”
*This battle was fought some years before the Hijra between the two Medina tribes, Aus and Khazraj. The reference here is to poems composed by members of the parties in praise of their tribe.
Ibn ‘Abbas was asked whether he had been present at the festival prayer along with God’s Messenger and replied, “Yes, God’s Messenger came out and prayed, then preached a sermon (no mention being made of adhan or iqama). He then went to the women, gave them an exhortation and admonition and ordered them to give alms. I then saw them putting their hands to their ears and necks and giving to Bilal, after which Bilal and he went off to his house.’’
