Complete Shari‘ah Ruling on Prayer During Irregular Menstruation (Istihadhah)

Ruling on Prayer During Irregular Menstruation (Istihadhah)


Source: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam)

❖ Question​

What is the Shari‘ah ruling on prayer for a woman experiencing irregular menstruation (istihadhah)?

❖ Answer​

Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba’d!

Definition​

When a woman experiences irregular bleeding beyond her normal menstrual cycle, this is termed istihadhah in Shari‘ah.

What She Should Do​

• She should determine how many days she normally menstruated each month before the irregularity.
• She will count only those days as her menstrual days and stop praying during those days.
• After those days end, she should:
  
  • Perform ghusl of menstruation.
  • Tie a cloth (pad) to prevent blood from staining the clothes.
  • Resume performing prayer.

Method of Prayer During Istihadhah​

For each prayer time:

1. Wash the private area thoroughly.
2. Tie a cloth or pad securely.
3. Perform wudu.
4. Do this after the prayer time begins, not before.
5. Then pray.

For Voluntary (Nafl) Prayers​

• The same steps apply for voluntary prayers as for obligatory ones.

Concession in Case of Hardship​

• If the process becomes difficult, she may combine prayers:
  
  • Zuhr with ‘Asr, or ‘Asr with Zuhr.
  • Maghrib with ‘Isha, or ‘Isha with Maghrib.
• This way she performs the cleansing and wudu once for two prayers,
  
  • and separately for Fajr.
• This reduces the process from five times to three times a day.

ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب