neither praying nor fasting is forbidden during menstruation ... it is all lies invented to stop you from remembering and communicating with God and to sacrifice for God while you fast so that we may fear. I agree. I also feel that men (unbelievers/hypocrites) invented this so they could maintain their "better than woman" stance. Unfortunately this is found in all religions in some form or another. The only thing woman (and men) should NOT do during menstration is intercourse, as stated in 2222. That's it! Menstration is God's design. It doesn't make sense that God would tell women NOT to do something He instructed because of a condition He designed. Actually, it is a beautiful design! One that, in itself, is a cleansing necessary for a woman's reproductive system. Maybe God added the part about those who are cleansed in this verse... just to expose the unbelievers. peace, dotty