Ruling on Post-Miscarriage Bleeding in Light of Fetal Development 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:
When a woman miscarries due to complications, sometimes the fetus is fully formed and sometimes not. What is the ruling concerning prayer in both of these cases?
❖ Answer:
The ruling depends on whether the human features of the fetus are clearly formed or not at the time of miscarriage.
Case 1: Fetus Is Formed (Limbs or Features Visible)
If a woman miscarries a fetus that shows signs of human formation—such as the head, hands, feet, or other limbs—then she is in a state of nifās (postnatal bleeding).✔ She must:
- Stop praying
- Not fast
- Refrain from sexual relations with her husband
These rulings apply until:- She becomes pure, even if before 40 days, or
- She completes the maximum of 40 days of bleeding.
If she becomes pure before 40 days:- She should perform ghusl
- Resume prayer and fasting
- Her husband may resume marital relations
Note: There is no minimum period for nifās. Even if bleeding stops after 10 days or less, she must perform ghusl and resume normal worship.
Bleeding After 40 Days
- Any blood beyond 40 days is not nifās, but irregular bleeding (istiḥāḍah).
- She must:
- Continue praying and fasting
- Her husband may have relations with her
- Make wudu for every prayer
This ruling is based on the instruction of the Prophet ﷺ to Fāṭimah bint Abī Ḥubaysh (a woman with istiḥāḍah):"توضئي لكل صلاة"
“Make wudu for each prayer.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 226, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 333]
If after the 40-day mark she begins her regular menstruation, then she falls under the rules of ḥayḍ:- No prayer or fasting
- No marital relations until purification
Case 2: Fetus Not Formed (Just Blood Clot or Tissue)
If the miscarried fetus shows no human features, for example:- It's just a clot of flesh, or
- Appears as blood, with no identifiable form,
Instead, she is considered mustaḥāḍah (experiencing irregular bleeding).✔ She must:
- Continue praying and fasting
- Make wudu after the beginning of each prayer time
- Use cotton or padding to prevent impurity
- Her husband is permitted to have intercourse
Additional Concession:
Such a woman may:- Combine Ẓuhr with ʿAṣr
- Combine Maghrib with ʿIshāʾ
For each set of two prayers, she may perform one ghusl, and another for Fajr.
This is supported by the authentic narration from Ḥamnah bint Jaḥsh, and most scholars agree that a woman in this state is ruled as mustaḥāḍah. (Fatwa by: Shaykh ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdullāh ibn Bāz رحمه الله)
❖ Summary:
| Fetal State | Ruling | Worship | Intimacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formed (limbs visible) | Nifās | No prayer or fasting until purity | Not allowed |
| Unformed (just blood or clot) | Istiḥāḍah | Must pray and fast | Allowed |
✔ After purity, even before 40 days, all acts of worship become obligatory again.
✔ Bleeding beyond 40 days is considered istiḥāḍah, unless regular menses begins.
