❀ Women's Specific Issues: Menstruation, Postpartum, and Related Rulings ❀

Authored by: Hafiz Aamir Sohail

❖ Chapter One: Menstrual Issues (Ḥayḍ)
​

Question ①: Is menstruation a sign of puberty?​

Answer:
Yes, Islam considers a girl who experiences menstruation as having reached puberty. This is also true if she experiences nocturnal emission or the growth of pubic hair.
(Ref: Surah at-Talaq: 4)

Question ②: Can the duration of menstruation be fixed?​

Answer:
No fixed minimum or maximum duration is established in Islam; it varies based on nature and individual cycles. Claims such as three to ten days have no strong basis.

Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله) said:
"All narrations in this matter are weak. There is consensus among the hadith scholars on their weakness."
(Al-Majmu’ Sharh al-Muhadhdhab: 2/383)

Question ③: How to identify menstrual blood?​

Answer:
Blood that is dark, blackish, yellow, or muddy during regular days is considered menstrual.

‘Aishah (رضي الله عنها) would tell women to wait until they saw pure white discharge before resuming prayer.
(Sahih Bukhari, Muwatta Malik, Sunan al-Kubra of Bayhaqi)

Question ④: What if a woman discharges fluid continuously after menstruation?​

Answer:
This is istihādah (irregular bleeding). She must perform a fresh wudu for every prayer.

Question ⑤: Does a pregnant woman menstruate?​

Answer:
No, pregnancy naturally halts menstruation. This is supported by both Quran and Sunnah.
(Ref: Sahih Bukhari: 5251; Surah at-Talaq: 4)

Question ⑥: Can elderly women menstruate?​

Answer:
No, blood from an elderly woman is considered istihādah, and she should perform wudu for every prayer.
(Ref: Sunan ad-Darimi: 852)

Question ⑦: Can menstruation occur more than once in a month?​

Answer:
Yes, it is possible. Wallahu A‘lam.

Question ⑧: Can menstruation be medically suppressed?​

Answer:
It is discouraged due to potential harms:
➊ Irregular cycles and infertility
➋ Hormonal imbalance
➌ Masculine traits like facial hair
➍ Skin issues

However, if menstruation is successfully suppressed through medication, prayers and fasts may be performed.
(Ref: Musannaf ‘Abd ar-Razzaq: 1219)

Question ⑨: Is menstrual blood impure?​

Answer:
Yes, it is impure and must be washed off clothes and body.
(Ref: Sahih Bukhari: 227; Sahih Muslim: 291)

Question ⑩: Can anything other than water purify impurity?​

Answer:
No. Only water has purifying qualities.
(Ref: Surah al-Furqan: 48)

Question ⑪: Can prayer be offered in clothes with menstrual stains?​

Answer:
If washed, yes. If there's no certainty about the stain, prayer is still valid.
(Ref: Sunan Abi Dawud: 366)

Question ⑫: How should a woman perform ghusl after menstruation?​

Answer:
She should:

1. Wash hands
2. Clean private parts
3. Perform full wudu
4. Rub water through hair roots
5. Pour water over the head and body
   (Ref: Sahih Bukhari: 248; Sahih Muslim: 316)

Question ⑬: Must the hair be untied for ghusl?​

Answer:
No. Pouring water on braided hair suffices.
(Ref: Sahih Muslim: 330)

Question ⑭–⑮: Can tayammum be performed?​

Answer:
Yes, when water is unavailable or harmful due to illness.
(Ref: Surah al-Ma’idah: 6)

Question ⑯: Is the sweat of a menstruating woman impure?​

Answer:
No. The believer is never impure.
(Ref: Sahih Bukhari: 285)

Question ⑰: Can one eat food prepared or leftover by a menstruating woman?​

Answer:
Yes. Islam honors women and lifts the superstitions of pre-Islamic times.

Question ⑱: Is intercourse allowed during menstruation?​

Answer:
No. It is prohibited until she becomes pure.
(Ref: Surah al-Baqarah: 222; Sahih Muslim: 302)

Question ⑲: Is intercourse allowed before ghusl after menstruation?​

Answer:
No. Ghusl is required before intercourse is permissible.
(Ref: Surah al-Baqarah: 222)

Question ⑳: Is divorce valid during menstruation?​

Answer:
Though discouraged, it is valid.
(Ref: Sahih Bukhari: 5252)

Question ㉑–㉒: Can a menstruating woman pray or enter the mosque?​

Answer:
No. She cannot pray or enter the mosque.
(Ref: Sahih Bukhari: 304; Sunan Abi Dawud: 232)

Question ㉓–㉔: Can she perform ruqyah or fast?​

Answer:
Yes to ruqyah, but not fasting. She must make up missed fasts later.
(Ref: Sahih Bukhari: 321; Sahih Muslim: 335)

❖ Istihādah (Irregular Bleeding)​

Definition:​

A type of vaginal bleeding not related to the menstrual or postpartum cycle. It is a medical condition, not a ritual impurity.

Question ㉕–㉖: How to differentiate between ḥayḍ and istihādah?​

• If bleeding occurs at regular menstrual times, it's ḥayḍ.
• Color & consistency:
  
  • Menstrual blood = dark and thick
  • Istihādah = lighter and reddish
• If uncertain, ask female relatives and follow their cycle duration.

Question ㉗: Must wudu be renewed for each prayer?​

Answer:
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ instructed Fāṭimah bint Ḥubaysh to make a fresh wudu for each prayer.
(Ref: Sahih Bukhari: 228)

Question ㉘: Is intercourse allowed with a woman in istihādah?​

Answer:
Yes, as it is not ritual impurity.
(Ref: Surah al-Baqarah: 223)

❖ Postpartum Bleeding (Nifās)​

Key Points:​

• Treated like ḥayḍ in all aspects: impurity, prohibition of prayer, fasting, intercourse, mosque entry
• After 40 days, any continued bleeding is not nifās
• If no blood is discharged post-delivery, she should bathe and pray
  

❖ Iddah (Waiting Period)​

Rules:​

➊ For Pregnant Women:
Iddah ends upon childbirth, regardless of duration
(Ref: Surah at-Talaq: 4)

➋ Divorced Women:
Must observe three menstrual cycles
(Ref: Surah al-Baqarah: 228)

➌ If menstruation is absent:
Iddah is three months

➍ For Khula‘ (divorce initiated by wife):
Iddah is one menstrual cycle
(Ref: Sunan an-Nasa’i: 3497 – Authentic)