Ruling on Prayer and Fasting if Postpartum Bleeding Exceeds Forty Days
Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam
Question:
If a woman’s postpartum bleeding continues even after forty days, should she start performing prayer and fasting?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
If a woman’s postpartum bleeding does not stop after the completion of forty days and no change in its nature is observed, the ruling will depend on the following details:
◈ In this case, the woman should stop performing prayer and fasting.
◈ Based on her previous habit, this blood will be counted as menstrual blood, and therefore abstaining from acts of worship will be obligatory.
(a) First Opinion:
◈ Some scholars say:
◈ She should perform ghusl and begin prayer and fasting, even if bleeding continues.
◈ This is because such bleeding will be considered istiḥāḍah (non-menstrual bleeding), which has a ruling different from ḥayḍ and nifās.
(b) Second Opinion:
◈ Other scholars say:
◈ She should remain in her current state and wait until sixty days are completed.
◈ This is because there have been cases where nifās lasted up to sixty days.
◈ Once sixty days are completed:
ھٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam
❖ Duration of Postpartum Bleeding (Nifas)
Question:
If a woman’s postpartum bleeding continues even after forty days, should she start performing prayer and fasting?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
If a woman’s postpartum bleeding does not stop after the completion of forty days and no change in its nature is observed, the ruling will depend on the following details:
① If Menstrual Days (Ḥayḍ) Begin After Forty Days According to Her Previous Habit:
◈ In this case, the woman should stop performing prayer and fasting.
◈ Based on her previous habit, this blood will be counted as menstrual blood, and therefore abstaining from acts of worship will be obligatory.
② If Bleeding Continues After Forty Days, But Menstrual Days (Ḥayḍ) Have Not Begun According to Her Habit:
(a) First Opinion:
◈ Some scholars say:
◈ She should perform ghusl and begin prayer and fasting, even if bleeding continues.
◈ This is because such bleeding will be considered istiḥāḍah (non-menstrual bleeding), which has a ruling different from ḥayḍ and nifās.
(b) Second Opinion:
◈ Other scholars say:
◈ She should remain in her current state and wait until sixty days are completed.
◈ This is because there have been cases where nifās lasted up to sixty days.
◈ Once sixty days are completed:
- She should follow her normal menstrual habit.
- Abstain from acts of worship during her habitual menstrual days.
- Then perform ghusl and resume prayer and fasting, as the blood beyond this will be considered istiḥāḍah.
ھٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
