Ibn Bazz: Difference between menstrual blood and Istihadah

Difference between menstrual blood and Istihadah 

Q: Some women cannot differentiate between menstrual blood and Istihadah (abnormal vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual or post­partum period). They stop offering Salah (Prayer) as long as bleeding continues. What is the ruling on this? 

A : Menstruation is blood that Allah (Exalted be He) has ordained upon all women every month as mentioned in the Sahih (authentic) Hadith. 

( Part No : 10, Page No: 223) 

A woman who experiences Istihadah might be one of three cases. First, if she experiences this for the first time, she should abstain from Salah, Sawm (Fast) and sexual intercourse with her husband until she is purified, provided that this lasts for fifteen days or less according to the Jumhur (dominant majority of scholars). 

Second, if bleeding continues for more than fifteen days, this is considered Istihadah. The days of her menstruation are considered six or seven only, just like her peers, if she cannot differentiate between menstrual blood and others. 

If she can differentiate between them, she should abstain from Salah, Sawm and sexual intercourse with her husband during her menstruation, which she distinguishes by the dark color or bad smell of blood, and then she should perform Ghusl (ritual bath) and offer Salah, provided that this period does not exceed fifteen days. 

Third, if she has fixed days of menstruation, when those days come to an end, she should perform Ghusl, and then perform Wudu' (ablution) for each Salah after the beginning of its time as long as she is bleeding. Her husband may also have sexual intercourse with her, until the time of her next menstrual period begins. This is the summary of the Hadith that were mentioned about women who experience Istihadah. They were mentioned by the author of "Al­Bulugh", Al­Hafizh Ibn Hajar, and the author of "Al­Muntaqa", Al­Majd ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be merciful with them). 

( Part No : 10, Page No: 224)