Postpartum Bleeding Beyond Usual Days

Question

A woman who experiences postpartum bleeding (nifas) should consider her usual menstrual cycle days when determining the duration of her nifas if the bleeding exceeds ten days. For instance, if her usual cycle is seven days and she is unsure whether the bleeding will last beyond ten days, can she perform the ritual purification (ghusl) on the seventh day and start following the rules for a woman experiencing istihada (irregular bleeding), or must she wait until the tenth day to clarify her situation? [AR_ID:1966]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may God protect him):

If you know that the bleeding will exceed ten days, you should perform ghusl and follow the rules for istihada.

If you are unsure whether the bleeding will continue or not, you should remain in the state of nifas. If it stops by the tenth day or before, all of it is considered nifas. If it exceeds ten days, then the amount corresponding to your usual cycle is nifas, and the remainder is considered istihada.

Source: Office of His Eminence Sayyid Khamenei in Lebanon + Official website, S63, 64.

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Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may God protect him):

If the bleeding continues beyond the usual menstrual days, it is recommended for her to refrain from worship for a day or two or until the tenth day to ascertain the status of the bleeding, whether it will stop by the tenth day or before, in which case all of it would be nifas, or if it exceeds ten days, then her nifas would be for the duration of her usual cycle, and the remainder would be istihada.

Source: Commentary on Al-Urwah, Vol. 1, Issue 9 + Issue 23 on Menstruation.

May you be successful in all good.