Jurisprudential Rulings in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith
Volume 01 – Page 74
Question
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاتهPostpartum Bleeding (Nifās) and Its Rulings
Answer (With the Help of al-Wahhāb), Provided the Question Is Sound
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته!الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Similarity Between the Rulings of Nifās and Ḥayḍ
The rulings of nifās and ḥayḍ are the same with regard to what is lawful and unlawful, for example:◈ In both ḥayḍ and nifās, it is permissible for the husband to enjoy his wife in all ways except vaginal intercourse, which is prohibited in both states.
◈ Prayer and fasting are prohibited in both conditions.
◈ Giving divorce, performing ṭawāf of the Kaʿbah, reciting the Noble Qur’an, and staying in the mosque are prohibited.
◈ Upon the end of both ḥayḍ and nifās, ghusl becomes obligatory.
◈ Missed prayers during these states are not to be made up, whereas missed fasts must be made up.
Definition of Nifās
◈ Nifās refers to the blood that exits the womb after childbirth.◈ In reality, it is the remaining blood that was held back during pregnancy.
Maximum Duration of Nifās
◈ The maximum duration of nifās is forty (40) days.On this basis, Imām al-Tirmidhī رحمه الله states:
“The Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the scholars after them are unanimously agreed that a woman in nifās leaves prayer for forty days. However, if the nifās blood stops before forty days and she is certain of her purity, she should perform ghusl and pray.”"أَجْمَعَ أَهْلُ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَمَنْ بَعْدَهُمْ أَنَّ النُّفَسَاءَ تَدَعُ الصَّلَاةَ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا، إِلَّا أَنْ تَرَى الطُّهْرَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ، فَإِذَا رَأَتِ الطُّهْرَ اغْتَسَلَتْ وَصَلَّتْ"
Reference: Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 139
◈ After the nifās blood stops and ghusl is performed, a woman may do all those acts that were prohibited due to nifās.
Ruling of Blood After the Birth of an Incomplete Fetus
◈ If a pregnant woman gives birth to an incomplete fetus whose human form has become apparent, and blood exits from the womb immediately thereafter, then that blood will be considered nifās.◈ It should be noted that generally, human formation becomes apparent within three months, and its minimum duration has been mentioned as eighty-one (81) days.
Ruling Regarding the Discharge of a Blood Clot
◈ If instead of a child, only a blood clot exits the womb, in which no clear human form or creation is visible, then:✔ The blood that follows will not be considered nifās.
✔ Such a woman will not abandon prayer or fasting.
✔ Other rulings related to nifās will not apply to her.
Important Advisory
It is necessary to draw attention to a very important issue here:◈ Some women use menstrual-preventing pills in order to complete the fasts of Ramaḍān or to fulfill the rites of Ḥajj.
◈ If such pills are used for a few days only, for a temporary purpose, then there is no harm in it.
◈ However, if the intention is to permanently stop menstrual blood, then doing so without the husband’s permission is not correct, because this may lead to the prevention of progeny.
◈ Such an act is Islamically impermissible, unless an unavoidable necessity arises.
Concluding Remarks
These were some basic rulings related to nifās, presented briefly. There is no scope here for further detail. However, if any specific issue or ambiguity arises regarding this topic, one should refer to the people of knowledge. In shāʾ Allāh, complete guidance will be obtained there.هذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
