Fatwa ID: 08487

Answered by Muftiyah Shireen Mangera-Badat

Question:

My wife menstruates (normal flow) for 3 days thereafter there is NO blood then all off a sudden she may get a slight spotting and will continue the odd occasion for the remainder of her cycle. 

Should she class the spotting as menstrual, or can she perform ghusl and continue her praying?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The fact is that the period point is still classed as all one period.

Though your wife has a regular flow for three days, this is the minimum requirement for the validation of the menses cycle:[1] the maximum is 10 days[2] – anything in between, even if she sees spotting, but there is up to the point where it is clear, this is classed as all one period.

Therefore, she should wait until there is no more spotting and then continue her prayers.

References:

[1] و أقله ثلاثة أيام بلياليها الثلاث……

[2] وكذا قوله (وأكثره عشرة) بعشر ليال……رد المختار ١/٤٧٦

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Mufityah Shireen Mangera-Badat

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham