a menstruating woman performs all the pilgrimage rites while menstruating, except circumambulation, according to the established Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the agreement of the imams. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“A menstruating woman performs all the rites except circumambulation of the House.”

“He instructed Asmā’ bint Abī Bakr, when she experienced postnatal bleeding at Dhū al-Hulayfah, to bathe and enter ihrām.”

“He instructed ‘Ā’ishah, when she began menstruating at Sarif, to bathe and enter ihrām for Hajj, and not to circumambulate before the standing at ‘Arafah.”

Thus, this woman who arrived in Mecca while menstruating, before the standing at ‘Arafah, must not circumambulate the House. She does, however, stand at ‘Arafah even while menstruating. How much more so, then, if she is merely seeing some yellowish and brownish discharge?

Concerning yellowish and brownish discharge, jurists in Ahmad’s school and elsewhere hold three opinions: that it is menstruation in all cases; that it is not menstruation in any case; and the third opinion—which is correct—that if it occurs during the usual menstrual period alongside black and red blood, it is menstruation; otherwise, it is not.

This is because women used to send ‘Ā’ishah a small container holding cotton, and she would tell them:

“Do not be hasty until you see the white discharge.”

Others did likewise, regarding whatever preceded the white discharge as menstruation. Umm ‘Atiyyah said:

“We did not regard yellowish and brownish discharge after becoming pure as anything.”

None of the pilgrimage rites requires ritual purity except circumambulation, for ritual purity is required for circumambulating the House by agreement of the scholars. As for going between al-Safā and al-Marwah,