Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Asalaam-O-Alikum dear brothers,

In Islam, what are the times that a women is considered to be in her menses? Is menses just times of heavy bleeding or does it also include small droplets (spotting)?

ma`salaam 

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Answer:

What and when is menses

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The Arabic term for menstruation is ‘haidh’, which literally means ‘running’ and it refers to the dark recognizable discharge of blood during the woman’s monthly periods.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 1.69a

Topic: Requirements for blood to be considered menstrual

1. Dark and recognizable. Once, when Fatimah bint Abu Habash had a prolonged flow of blood, (she went to the Prophet (saws) for advice) and the Prophet (saws) told her, "If it is the blood of menstruation, it will be dark and recognizable. If it is that, then leave the prayer. If it is other than that, then make ablution and pray, for it is only due to a vein." (Related by Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, Ibn Hibban and ad-Daraqutni.)

2. Red. It is the original color of blood.

3. Yellow. It is a liquid, like pus.

4. A muddy color. It is an intermediate color between black and white, like dirt.

Al-Bukhari recorded that women would send 'Aishah small boxes with yellow-stained cotton, and she would tell them, "Do not be in haste until you see the pure white cotton." If the discharge is yellow or muddy during the days of menstruation, it is to be considered as part of the menses. During other days, it is not regarded as such. Umm 'Atiyyah said, "After we were pure, we did not consider the yellow or muddy discharge to be anything." This is related by Abu Dawud and al-Bukhari.

Your Question: In Islam, what are the times that a women is considered to be in her menses? Is menses just times of heavy bleeding or does it also include small droplets (spotting)?

The timely and periodical discharge of the dark recognizable colored blood would be deemed menstruation bleeding….anything other than that including untimely spotting would not be deemed menstruation blood.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan