When bleeding stops and returns within possible days of menses, prayers and fasts performed during the gap are ruled invalid in retrospect, though Allah rewards the effort.
Reviewed by Ustad Abas Arshad, Islamic scholar, on
When menstrual bleeding returns within the possible days of menses after a gap, all prayers and fasts performed during the bloodless days become invalid in retrospect.
When a woman experiences gaps of purity during her possible days of menses (PDM), important rulings apply to any worship she performs during these bloodless periods. Understanding these rulings helps Muslim women navigate the complexities of bleeding during possible days of menses.
If menstrual bleeding returns within the possible days of menses, it is considered menses in addition to the time span in which no blood was seen. This principle establishes that bleeding does not need to be continuous for it to be classified as menses.
Consequently, all the prayers and fasts that a woman performed during the days without blood are invalid in retrospect. However, Allah Most High will reward her for following His commandments, even if the prayers and fasts she performed are invalid in hindsight.
To illustrate this ruling, consider a woman whose bleeding returns on Day 8 of her cycle. In this case, the prayers and fasts offered on Days 6 and 7 (the gap period without bleeding) are ruled as invalid in retrospect.
This retrospective invalidation occurs because the entire period, including the gap days, is now considered part of her menstrual cycle once bleeding resumes within the possible days of menses timeframe.
A woman is not required to make up any of the prayers she performed during the gap days (such as Days 6 and 7 in the example above). The only exception applies to the performance of makeup prayers owed from previous years or vowed prayers, since the debt to Allah Most High was not lifted.
Unlike prayers, a woman is required to make up any obligatory fasts performed during the gap days, as the fasts do not count in hindsight. This distinction between prayer and fasting obligations reflects the different nature of these acts of worship during menstruation.
It's important to understand that while the technical validity of worship performed during gap days may be affected retrospectively, Allah's reward for the woman's sincere intention and effort to follow His commandments remains. This demonstrates Islam's recognition of genuine effort and good faith in worship, even when circumstances later reveal technical invalidity.
The rulings on worship during gaps of purity within possible days of menses emphasize the importance of understanding how menstruation patterns affect religious obligations. While prayers and fasts may become invalid retrospectively if bleeding returns, the distinction between make-up requirements for prayers versus fasts provides clear guidance for Muslim women navigating these complex situations.
What happens to prayers performed during gap days if bleeding returns?
Prayers performed during gap days become invalid retrospectively if bleeding returns within possible days of menses, but no make-up is required except for previous debts or vowed prayers.
Must I make up fasts performed during gap days?
Yes, you must make up any obligatory fasts performed during gap days if bleeding returns, as these fasts do not count in hindsight.
Does Allah reward worship performed during gap days even if it becomes invalid?
Yes, Allah Most High will reward you for following His commandments during gap days, even if the prayers and fasts become invalid in hindsight.
Does bleeding need to be continuous to be considered menses?
No, bleeding does not need to be continuous for it to be classified as menses within the possible days of menses timeframe.
Different rules apply to prayers versus fasting when it comes to make-up requirements
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Reviewed by
Islamic scholar
Ijazah in the Islamic sciences, with an unbroken chain of transmission, Trained in issuing fatwa in the Hanafi madhab, Jamia Al-Karam; Al-Azhar University
Co-founder of flowdays. He reviews the articles in the flowdays library.
Reviewed on .
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