The following sequences of pages guide the user through a decision tree for determining what a women with irregular vaginal bleeding should do. The user should read the text presented at each step, and then click on whatever link is appropriate.
Once you finish, you have the option to learn the fiqh behind Istihadah Helper.
The woman has had a complete menstrual cycle in the past (i.e., this is not her first time).
Is the blood is distinctive (i.e. one type is stronger, the other weaker)?
Is the blood is distinctive (i.e. one type is stronger, the other weaker)?
Does the woman remember both the measure and the time of her last cycle (e.g., 6 days of bleeding followed by 24 days of purity), or last set of recurrent cycles (e.g., 3 days of bleeding the first month, 4 days the second, 5 the third; then 3 days, then 4, then 5; and then 3 days, and so)?
Did the stronger blood flow at least 24 hours and less than 15 days, and the weaker blood flow at least 15 days?
Did the stronger blood flow at least 24 hours and less than 15 days, and the weaker blood flow at least 15 days?
The woman falls back to her regular cycle’s measure and time.
During the first cycle, she waits until blood flows 15 days; she then performs ghusl and makes up whatever is in addition to her regular cycle.
In the second cycle she performs ghusl when her regular cycle elapses.
Did the woman forgot both the measure and the time of her previous menstrual cycle?<
The woman should consider the stronger blood with intermittent times of cleanliness as menses.
So: 3 days of bleeding, then 1 day of purity, and then 3 days of bleeding are considered 7 days of menses.
The woman knows when the bleeding started?
The woman’s certainty is followed. During the uncertain times, she is the same as the ‘Confused Woman.’ (Her details will come on the next page.)
Example for remembers measure: She knows that her period was five days during the first ten days of the month; she does not remember when it began, though she knows that it was not on the first day of the month. So: the sixth day is certainly menstruation, the first day is certainly purity, as are the last 20 days of the month. From the 2nd to the 5th could be menstruation or the continuation of purity; the 7th to the 10th could be menstruation or the end of the period.
Example for remembers time: She remembers that her period was at the beginning of the month, but forgot how long. What is certain is that the first day of the month is menstruation and that the second half of the month is purity. For the remaining days it is possible that the period continues, the period has just ended, or the period was already finished.
Only the minimal period is certain, so this is what she assumes.
During the first cycle she waits until the blood exceeds 15 days. She then performs ghusl and makes up everything after the first 24 hours.
During the second cycle: she performs ghusl after 24 hours pass, since she now has an established cycle.
The ‘Confused Woman’
She takes precaution since at any moment she could be pure or menstruating.
With respect to obligatory and voluntary worship which requires intention, she is akin to a woman without menses.
With respect to sexual enjoyment, touching the Qur’ān, and reciting Qur’ān outside of prayer, she is akin to a woman during menses.
During prayer, Qur’ān recitation is not limited to just what is obligatory (e.g. al-Fātiḥah or what takes its place).
She makes ghusl for each obligatory prayer after its time has entered if it is possible that her period has ended. If she knows she becomes pure at Sunset, she must make ghusl at sunset and then make ablution for all other prayers.
If she has a period of cleanliness lasting two prayers, she must make ghusl for the first but not for the second.
She fasts all of Ramaḍān, and then must fast an additional month. Unless she normally stops bleeding at night, she must add two more days (see Minhāj al-Ṭālibīn or Minhaj al-Ṭullāb for details)
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