Question:

I have completed my nifas (post-natal bleeding) period of forty days, but I am still facing the problem of bleeding even with taking medications. Can I offer prayer and what are the procedures? Can I hold the Qur’an while reading it?

Answer:

Nifas (post-natal bleeding) is the blood that is discharged after giving birth. This period lasts until a woman realizes the tuhr (stop of bleeding) or completes forty days. So the maximum duration of post-natal bleeding is 40 days. Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) said “The nufasa’ (a woman in a state of birth blood discharge) used to continue to be in childbed for forty days at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him)”. (Authenticated by Al-Hakim) After that, she has to perform ghusl (ritual bath) and offers prayer, even if there is bleeding after the period of 40 days is over. The blood that is come out after that period is called istihadah (blood from a woman other than menstrual and postnatal bleeding). Therefore, a woman has to keep an eye on the duration of her post-natal bleeding and record them.

Regarding the minimum length of post-natal, most of scholars are of the view that there is no minimum limit for it. If a woman realizes that she is pure, when blood stopped, then she has to perform ritual bath and offer prayer. Istihadah does not prevent a woman form offering prayer, fasting or reading the Qur’an.  The majority of scholars say that a woman has to pray even if she continues to notice blood after the 40 days period is over. This is the opinion of the majority of the religious scholars among whom Sufyan Al-Thawri, Ibn Al-Mubarak, Al-Shafi`i, Ahmad and Ishaq.

Responding to this question, Dr. Muhammad Salah defines the nifas and talks about its period that varies from a woman to another. If the post-natal bleeding goes beyond the 40 days without being the blood of menstruation, it is called istihadah. In such case, a woman has to perform wudu’ (ablution) before each prayer.

Enjoy watching this important talk to know the difference between menstruation (hayd), post-natal bleeding (nifas) and irregular bleeding (istihadah). The video also clarifies the ruling of worship in case of bleeding after 40 days of nifas.

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Source: Iqra Youtube Channel.