In the late stages of my menstrual cycle, the blood discharge slows down, which causes confusion during Ramadan regarding fasting. Can I perform a ritual bath for menstruation with the intention of precaution during the pre-dawn hours if I anticipate that I will become pure afterward? Would my bath be valid if I bathed with this intention and did not see any blood afterward, allowing me to fast that day? Sometimes, I wait a whole day at the end of my cycle without any discharge to avoid losing a day of fasting.
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Ayatollah Al-Sistani (may Allah protect him):
There is no need for such a precautionary bath. A woman can check for the cessation of blood by inserting a cotton ball; if it comes out clean, she must perform the bath and fast. If it comes out stained with blood, even if it is yellowish, she is still in her menstrual period, and her bath and fasting are not valid.
In any case, if she neglects the examination for a valid reason, such as forgetfulness, and performs the bath, her bath is valid if it coincides with the cessation of blood. If she neglects it without a valid reason, her bath is also valid if it coincides with the cessation of blood and she has the intention of closeness to Allah.
Source: Minhaj Al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Examination and Precaution + Official Website
Ayatollah Al-Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
There is no need for such a precautionary bath. A woman can check for the cessation of blood by inserting a cotton ball; if it comes out clean, she must perform the bath and fast. If it comes out stained with blood, even if it is yellowish, she is still in her menstrual period, and her bath and fasting are not valid.
In any case, there is no harm if a woman takes precaution by performing the bath and refraining from the prohibitions of menstruation, allowing her to engage in acts of purity such as fasting.
Source: Tahrir Al-Wasila, Purity, Special Baths for Women, Characteristics of Menstrual Blood and Conditions, M 3 + Tahrir Al-Wasila, Vol. 1, p. 131, Issue 3 + p. 118, Issues 23, 24