Rulings on Worship After Purification During Nifās Before Forty Days Source:
This article is derived from the book 500 Questions & Answers for Women, a compilation of Fatawa by the Scholars of the Haramain. Translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
❖ Question:
If a woman becomes pure from postnatal bleeding (nifās) before completing forty days, is it permissible for her to fast, pray, and perform Hajj?
❖ Answer:
Yes, if a woman attains purity from nifās before forty days, it is permissible for her to:
✔ Fast
✔ Perform prayers (ṣalāh)
✔ Perform Hajj or ʿUmrah
✔ Engage in marital relations with her husband
For example, if she becomes pure after twenty days, she should:- Perform ghusl (ritual bath)
- Begin praying and fasting
- She becomes permissible for her husband
- She may proceed with rituals of Hajj or ʿUmrah
Clarification on the View of ʿUthmān ibn Abī al-ʿĀṣ:
There is a narration from ʿUthmān ibn Abī al-ʿĀṣ رحمه الله in which he disapproved of this.
However:
- His view is considered karāhat tanzīhiyyah (mild disapproval)
- It is a personal ijtihād (independent reasoning) without any established evidence
- Hence, it does not affect the soundness of the ruling
❖ If Bleeding Resumes Before 40 Days:
If bleeding resumes within 40 days, then the correct view is:
- It is still considered nifās,
- And the previous period of purity remains valid.
✔ Any fasts, prayers, or acts of Hajj performed during the pure period are valid and do not need to be repeated.
(Fatwa by: Shaykh ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdullāh ibn Bāz رحمه الله)❖ Summary:
✔ A woman may fast, pray, and perform Hajj/ʿUmrah if purified before 40 days
✔ Her husband is permitted to have relations with her
✔ If bleeding returns within 40 days, it is still nifās, but prior worship during purity remains valid
✔ Views of disapproval from some companions are based on ijtihād and not binding
