menstruation. Say, ‘It is a harm.’” [al-Baqarah 2:222] So long as this harm remains, it is menstruation.
An example of coming earlier is when her established pattern is at the end of the month, but it comes at its beginning. We say: Wait; if this occurs three times, it is menstruation; otherwise, it is of no consequence.
The correct view is that it is menstruation: if her established pattern is at the end of the month, then it comes at the beginning of the second month, she must refrain from prayer and fasting, and her husband must not have intercourse with her.
An example of delay is when her established pattern is at the beginning of the month, but it is delayed until its end. According to the view followed by the author, if it comes at the end of the month, she does not observe it as menstruation—even if it is menstrual blood, which she recognizes by its smell, thickness, and dark color—until it recurs three times. She must pray and fast; then, if it recurs three times, she must make up whatever a menstruating woman is required to make up. The stronger view is that, if her established pattern is delayed, she must observe it as menstruation, since it is known to be menstruation by Allah’s description of it as a harm.
His statement, “Whatever is less than the established pattern is purity”: this is a change in the established pattern through decrease.
For example, her established pattern is seven days, but she menstruates for five days and then becomes pure. Whatever is less than the established pattern is purity; she must bathe, pray, and observe the obligatory fast, and her husband may have intercourse with her, just as he may with other women who are pure.
The evidence for this is as follows:
- Allah the Exalted says: “And do not approach them until they are pure. Then, when they have purified themselves, approach them as Allah has commanded you.” [al-Baqarah 2:222]