❖ Question:
If a woman miscarries during the third month of pregnancy, is she required to perform Salah, or is the blood considered postnatal bleeding (Nifas), thereby exempting her from prayer?
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
This is a well-known and clarified issue among the scholars:
❖ Case 1: If the Miscarried Fetus Shows Signs of Creation
✔️ If the fetus (جنین) is expelled after physical features have started forming,
→ The bleeding that follows is considered Nifas (postnatal bleeding).
✿ In this case, the woman is not required to pray, as Salah is lifted during Nifas.
❖ When Does Physical Formation Begin?
➤ According to the scholars, physical formation of the fetus generally begins after 81 days (approximately 3 lunar months).
❖ Based on This Understanding:
➊ If it is ertain that the miscarriage occurred after 81 days (or 3 lunar months):
✔️ The blood is Nifas
✔️ The woman must abstain from Salah
➋ If the miscarriage occurred before 81 days:
✘ The blood is not Nifas, but is considered irregular bleeding (فاسد خون).
✔️ In such a case, the woman is obligated to continue praying and must not leave Salah.
❖ What If the Exact Duration Is Unknown?
If the woman is unsure about how far along the pregnancy was, then she should:
✔️ Reflect and analyze based on symptoms or any known signs
✔️ Decide based on غالب ظن (preponderant assumption)
➤ If her strong assumption is that the fetus was less than 81 days old,
→ She must perform Salah as the bleeding is not Nifas.
➤ If her strong assumption is that 81 days had passed,
→ She may refrain from Salah, treating the bleeding as Nifas.
✅ Conclusion:
❖ If the miscarriage occurred after the fetus had formed (typically post-81 days), the bleeding is Nifas, and the woman must abstain from prayer.
❖ If the miscarriage occurred before 81 days, the bleeding is irregular, and the woman must continue praying.
❖ In case of doubt about the duration, she must act based on her strong assumption.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِی وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
