Distinguishing Between Ḥayḍ (Menstruation) and Istiḥāḍah (Irregular Bleeding)
Question: Since some time, when my menstrual cycle begins, I experience blood along with cramps. There is bleeding in the first few days, but it then reduces significantly and becomes discharge or only visible when wiping, and no longer has the typical signs of ḥayḍ. The doctor is uncertain and believes it might be irregular bleeding. Nevertheless, I continued praying and fasting is my worship valid and what should I do?
Summary:
Any blood that exceeds the regular time of menstruation or lacks the signs of ḥayḍ is treated as istiḥāḍah, and your worship during this time is valid.
Answer:
In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
If a woman usually has a known regular cycle, such as six or seven days, and then she begins to experience blood outside of that regular pattern or beyond that usual time frame, then anything beyond her normal cycle is considered istiḥāḍah (irregular bleeding). She must continue to pray and fast during that time. If the blood becomes continuous, and she no longer remembers her regular duration, then she considers the blood that resembles menstrual blood in its color, odor, and thickness as her ḥayḍ. Whatever exceeds that or appears in a different form is istiḥāḍah. As for your previous worship your fasting and prayer during the time that the doctor considered it to be irregular bleeding it is valid, and you are not required to make it up. A woman experiencing istiḥāḍah must make wuḍūʾ for each ṣalāh after the time enters. She must also protect herself with a pad or the like, then she may pray. You are not sinful, and your actions were correct based on your understanding and the advice of the doctor.
And Allah knows best.
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