The Ruling on a Woman Whose Menstrual Cycle Changes

Source: This response is based on the rulings compiled in the book 500 Questions and Answers for Women, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.

Question:
What is the ruling for a woman whose menstrual cycle changes, extending by 2-3 or even 4 days? For instance, if her usual period lasted 6-7 days, but now continues for 10-15 days with intermittent purity (a day or night of no bleeding), should she perform Ghusl and pray, or wait until she is completely pure?

Answer:
In such cases, the following rulings apply:

1. Intermittent Purity During Menstruation:​

• If, during her menstrual period, the woman notices bleeding stops for a day or a night (intermittent purity), she is required to:
  1. Perform Ghusl (ritual bath).
  2. Pray the Salah (prayers) during that period of apparent purity.
  3. This ruling is based on the statement of Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما):
     
  "أما إذا رأت الدم البحراني فإنها لا تصلي، وإذا رأت الطهر ساعة فلتغتسل"
  (“When a woman sees heavy menstrual blood, she should not pray. However, if she sees a period of purity, even for an hour, she must perform Ghusl and pray.”)
  [Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith 286]

2. Purity Less Than a Full Day:​

• If the period of purity lasts less than 24 hours, it is not considered valid purification, and she should not perform Ghusl or pray.
• This aligns with the statement of Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
  "لا تعجلن حتي ترين القصة البيضاء"
  (“Women should not hasten to purify themselves until they see the white discharge (indicating complete purity).”)
  [Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 314]

3. Blood Flow Stops and Resumes:​

• If the blood intermittently stops and resumes within a typical menstrual timeframe (10-15 days):
  • Purity is not confirmed merely by the temporary cessation of bleeding.
  • A woman must wait until her complete cycle ends or she sees the definitive sign of purity (e.g., white discharge).
• Ibn Qudamah in Al-Mughni explains that temporary cessation of blood within a short period does not establish purity.

Summary of Rulings:​

1. If bleeding stops for a day or more during menstruation, the woman must perform Ghusl and pray during that period.
2. If the purity lasts less than a full day, it is disregarded, and she remains in the state of menstruation.
3. Complete cessation of bleeding (along with signs of purity, such as the white discharge) is necessary to confirm the end of the menstrual cycle.

These guidelines ensure clarity and conformity to Islamic principles in cases of irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles.
Wallahu A'lam (And Allah knows best)