Menstruation and Postnatal Bleeding
The Chapter of Purification
Menstruation and Postnatal Bleeding (Nifas)
Menstruation and postnatal bleeding are among the major states of ritual impurity that carry important Islamic rulings.
They are specific to women, and Allah has legislated clear rulings for them with wisdom, mercy, and ease.
First: Menstruation
What Is Menstruation?
Islamic Definition:
Menstruation is natural blood that flows from the uterus of a woman at known times, without any illness, after reaching puberty.
It is:
A natural condition
Decreed by Allah for the daughters of Adam
Neither a defect nor a deficiency
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“This is something Allah has decreed for the daughters of Adam.”
Duration of Menstruation
Minimum duration: No fixed limit according to many scholars
Maximum duration: Usually does not exceed 15 days
Common duration: Between 6 and 7 days
The primary reference is the woman’s usual cycle.
What Does Menstruation Prevent?
A menstruating woman is not permitted to:
Perform prayer
Fast
Perform tawaf around the Ka‘bah
Touch the Mushaf (physical copy of the Qur’an)
She does not sin by leaving prayer,
and she is not required to make up missed prayers after purification.
What Is Permissible During Menstruation?
It is permissible for her to:
Engage in remembrance (dhikr)
Make supplication (du‘a)
Listen to the Qur’an
Recite the Qur’an without touching the Mushaf (according to many scholars)
What Is Required After Menstruation Ends?
Once the bleeding stops and purity is confirmed:
Ghusl is obligatory
She may then resume all acts of worship
Second: Postnatal Bleeding (Nifas)
What Is Nifas?
Islamic Definition:
Nifas is the blood that exits a woman due to childbirth, whether before or after delivery.
Duration of Nifas
No minimum duration
Maximum duration: 40 days according to the majority of scholars
If:
Purity occurs before 40 days → she performs ghusl and prays
Bleeding continues after 40 days → many scholars consider it irregular bleeding (istihada)
Rulings of Nifas
A woman experiencing nifas:
Does not pray
Does not fast
Does not perform tawaf
Does not touch the Mushaf
Its rulings are the same as menstruation.
What Is Required After Nifas Ends?
Performing ghusl
Then resuming all acts of worship
Third: The Difference Between Menstruation and Nifas
Aspect
Menstruation
Nifas
Cause
Natural monthly cycle
Childbirth
Duration
Varies by habit
Usually up to 40 days
Rulings
Same
Same
Summary of Menstruation and Nifas
Menstruation and nifas are major states of impurity
They prevent certain acts of worship
There is no sin upon women during these states
Ghusl is required after purity
Islam honors women and removes hardship from them
Madrasat Al-Quran
We teach Islamic rulings with knowledge and compassion
Because fiqh is understanding, and worship is peace of heart