Chapter on Menstruation

This chapter is among the most difficult chapters of fiqh for the jurists, and they have discussed it at great length.

It appears to us, however, that it does not require such lengthy treatment, detailed subdivisions, and principles as the jurists—may Allah have mercy on them—have elaborated, much of which was not transmitted from the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them.

When a woman menstruates, she refrains from prayer and the like; when she becomes pure from it, she prays; and when its nature becomes unclear to her, she does not regard it as menstruation.

Thus, its principles in the sunnah are very straightforward, which is why the hadiths reported on this subject are not numerous.

Nevertheless, since we are studying the statements of the jurists, we must know what they—may Allah have mercy on them—have said concerning this chapter, then present it before the Book of Allah and the sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. Whatever agrees with the Quran and sunnah, we accept; and whatever contradicts them, we reject, saying: May Allah forgive its author.

Linguistically, menstruation means flowing; one says, “The valley menstruated,” when it flowed.

In the Sacred Law, it is natural blood that comes to a woman on known days after she has reached puberty. Allah the Exalted created it for the wise purpose of nourishing the child. This is why a pregnant woman does not usually menstruate, because this blood—by Allah’s permission—is directed to the fetus through the umbilical cord and distributed through the veins so that it may be nourished by it, since it cannot be nourished by eating and drinking in its mother’s womb; for if it were nourished by eating and drinking