بَابُ الْمُسْتَحَاضَةِAl-Mustahada (A Woman with Prolonged Bleeding)

Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: A woman used to have excessive bleeding during the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Umm Salamah consulted the Prophet (ﷺ) on her behalf, and he said: "She should observe the number of nights and days she used to menstruate in a month before this condition affected her. She should then refrain from prayer for that same duration each month. After that, she should perform ghusl (ritual purification), wear a clean cloth, and then offer prayer." [Narrated by Malik, Al-Shafi’i, Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, Al-Daraqutni, Al-Bayhaqi, and Al-Darimi]

Al-Nasa’i reported a similar narration, and Al-Nawawi said that Abu Dawood’s chain of transmission meets the conditions of Bukhari and Muslim.

Hisham ibn 'Urwah narrated from his father that he said: "A woman with prolonged bleeding (mustahada) is only required to perform ghusl once. After that, she should perform wudu (ablution) for each prayer." [Narrated by Muhammad from Malik in Al-Muwatta’]

Al-Tabarani narrated a similar report from Sawda bint Zam‘a as a marfu‘ (elevated) hadith, and likewise, ‘Abd al-Razzaq, Al-Tahawi, and Sa‘id ibn Mansur narrated it from ‘Aisha as a mawquf (stopped) narration.

‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about a woman with prolonged bleeding, and he said: "She should refrain from prayer during her regular menstruation days, then perform ghusl once, and after that, she should perform wudu before each prayer." [Narrated by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih with an authentic chain of transmission]

‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said to Fatima bint Abi Hubaysh: "Perform wudu at the time of each prayer." [Narrated by our Imam, Abu Hanifa and Muhammad also narrated a similar report in Al-Asl]

In another narration by Bukhari and Al-Tirmidhi, the Prophet (ﷺ) said to a woman with prolonged bleeding: "Then perform wudu for every prayer until that time (of menstruation) returns."

Abu Salamah reported that Umm Habibah bint Jahsh was experiencing excessive bleeding. She asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) for guidance, and he instructed her to perform ghusl (ritual washing) at each prayer time and then pray. [Narrated by Sa’id ibn Mansur]

Al-Tahawi narrated a similar report. In a narration by Ibn Majah, it is mentioned: "Then perform ghusl and perform wudu (ablution) for each prayer." In another narration by Muslim from ‘Aisha, it is reported similarly.

‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that Umm Habibah had been experiencing prolonged bleeding for years, and the bleeding would rise until it stained the garment. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "It is not menstruation; it is just a vein." She would perform ghusl for each prayer. [Narrated by Sa’id ibn Mansur., Al-Tahawi and ‘Abd al-Razzaq also reported similar narrations]

Our scholars (jurists) have deduced from these hadiths that a woman with a regular menstrual cycle returns to her regular pattern after the days of menstruation pass. She should perform one ghusl after her menstruation, then perform wudu for each prayer time, and continue praying even if the bleeding persists.

As for a woman whose bleeding continues, and she is confused between the days of menstruation and the location of bleeding, she should rely on what she is sure of, continuing her practice based on her understanding.

If she does not have an opinion or certainty, nothing from the days of menstruation or post-menstruation can be conclusively determined. In this case, she should adopt caution: she should perform ghusl for each prayer.

If she is confused between the beginning of menstruation and the post-menstruation period, she should pray with wudu at the time of each prayer. If she is confused between the end of menstruation and post-menstruation, she should perform ghusl at the time of each prayer.

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that there is no harm if a husband has sexual relations with his wife who is experiencing irregular bleeding (istihadah).

[Narrated by ‘Abd al-Razzaq]

In a narration by Abu Dawood and Al-Bayhaqi from Ikrimah, from Hamnah bint Jahsh:

She was experiencing irregular bleeding, and her husband would have sexual relations with her. Abu Dawood did not comment on this narration, but Al-Nawawi stated: "Its chain of narration is Hasan."