Menstruation (hayd), postnatal bleeding (nifas), and the rulings of major impurity

Rulings of Bath (Ghusl) Note 3

1. Ghusl becomes obligatory after sexual intercourse, ejaculation, menstruation, and postnatal bleeding (i.e., in these cases, Ghusl is required). If semen comes out during wakefulness without intercourse or ejaculation, but with desire, Ghusl is obligatory. Similarly, if a man or woman wakes up and finds wetness on their body or clothes, and they are certain it is semen, whether or not they remember a wet dream, or if they are certain it is pre-ejaculatory fluid (Mazi) and remember a wet dream, or if there is doubt whether it is semen or Mazi but they remember a wet dream, Ghusl will be obligatory in all these situations.
2. When a man or woman needs to perform Ghusl, the following actions are prohibited until Ghusl is performed: offering prayers, performing prostration, touching the Quran, reciting the Quran with the intention of reading, and entering a mosque.

There are five Sunnahs in Ghusl Explanation of the Fourth Condition (Menstruation)

1. Menstruation (hayd) is the blood that flows from the womb of a mature woman (baligha) approximately every month.
2. The minimum duration of menstruation is three full days and nights, and the maximum is ten full days and nights. If blood appears for a shorter or longer period, it is not considered menstruation but a type of illness called istihada.
3. During the menstruation period, any blood color other than pure white is considered menstrual blood.
4. The earliest age for menstruation is nine years, and the maximum age is fifty-five years. If a girl under nine years of age experiences clear red blood or blood of the same color as her previous menstrual cycle, it is considered menstruation.
5. The minimum period of purity (known as tuhr) between two menstrual cycles is fifteen days, with no maximum limit. If blood reappears within fifteen days, it is considered istihada.
6. If a period of purity is observed within the days of menstruation, it is still counted as part of the menstrual cycle (this is known as tuhr mutakhallil).
7. If a woman who has a regular menstrual cycle bleeds beyond her usual duration but within ten days, it is still considered menstruation. However, if bleeding exceeds ten days, any days beyond her regular period are counted as istihada. For a woman without a regular cycle, the first ten days are counted as menstruation, and any days beyond are counted as istihada.

There are five Sunnahs in Ghusl Explanation of the Fifth Condition (Postnatal Bleeding - Nifas)

1. Nifas is the blood that flows from a woman’s womb after childbirth.
2. Nifas is only considered to start when blood flows after more than half of the baby has exited. Any blood that appears before this is not nifas but rather istihada (non-menstrual bleeding).
3. The maximum duration of nifas is forty days and nights, with no minimum. Some women may not experience nifas at all.
4. During the nifas period, any color of blood other than pure white is considered nifas.
5. The minimum period of cleanliness (tuhr) between nifas and the next menstruation is fifteen days.
6. If a woman experiences more bleeding than her usual nifas period but not more than forty days, all of it is considered nifas. However, if the bleeding continues beyond forty days, any excess is considered istihada.
7. If a miscarriage occurs and the fetus has developed any body parts, it is considered nifas. If not, it is not considered nifas.

There are five Sunnahs in Ghusl 26. Rules of Major Impurity (Hadath Akbar)

1. When conditions that require Ghusl occur, they result in a state of major impurity (hadath akbar).
2. In this state, it is forbidden to perform prayer, make prostration, perform tawaf (circumambulation) of the Kaaba, touch the Quran, recite any part of it (even less than a verse) with the intention of recitation, write any verse, touch or wear an item with Quranic verses inscribed, or enter a mosque.
3. Fasting is also prohibited for women during menstruation (hayd) or postnatal bleeding (nifas).
4. During menstruation and nifas, women are completely exempt from prayer and do not have to make it up later. However, they must make up missed fasts.
5. A woman who teaches Quranic lessons may instruct each word separately without reciting a full verse if she is menstruating.
6. Sexual intercourse is forbidden during menstruation. Touching or any physical contact between the navel and knees is disliked (makruh tahrimi) without a barrier. Other parts of the body, however, can be touched.
7. It is permissible to sleep alongside a menstruating woman, use the same water or items she has used, and have her cook or prepare food.
8. If a woman forgets her menstrual schedule and is unsure if a particular time is her period or a period of cleanliness, she should perform Ghusl at each prayer time and then pray.
9. If a woman’s menstrual bleeding stops after a full ten days and nights, intercourse is allowed even before she performs Ghusl, though it is preferable to wait until after Ghusl.

If her menstruation ends in fewer than ten days but aligns with her usual cycle, intercourse is not permitted until she either performs Ghusl or the time for one prayer has passed. After that, intercourse is allowed even if she has not done Ghusl. If her bleeding stops before her usual cycle days are complete, then intercourse is not allowed until those usual days have fully passed, even if she has performed Ghusl.

1. Ghusl is not obligatory in the case of istihada (non-menstrual bleeding), and she can perform her regular prayers and fasting. However, it is recommended that she performs fresh Wudu for each prayer.
2. Intercourse is allowed during istihada.