The nature of menstruation changing after undergoing an operation


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A: The woman concerned falls under the ruling of women who experience Istihadah (abnormal vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual or post-partum period) and used to have a normal cycle of menstruation and purity. Since her menstruation was regular before undergoing these operations, she should track the usual time of her menstruation before the operations, and refrain from Salah and Sawm during this period. After the end of the estimated days of past menstruations, she should perform Ghusl (full ritual bath), pad her private parts with cotton or the like to prevent leakage of blood (Part No. 4; Page No. 237) as much possible, then she can offer Salah and observe Sawm, if she is able to fast. She should also make up for the days in which she broke her Sawm during menstruation. She takes the same ruling as Tahir (ritually pure) women concerning the permissibility of having marital sexual intercourse, even if blood flows from her, as it is considered Istihadah. However, she should perform Wudu' (ablution) for every Salah, if any blood is discharged from her after the previous Wudu'. If Sawm is too difficult for her, and she is harmed by not taking the medicines as recommended by her doctor, she may stop observing Sawm in Ramadan as allowed to an ill person. If her case is curable, she should wait until she recovers and then make up for the days in which she did not observe Sawm. If it is a chronic illness that is most likely not curable according to the doctors, she should feed a needy person for each day in which she did not observe Sawm. The amount of food is half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. approx.) of wheat, dates, rice or similar staple foodstuffs. There is no blame placed on her for not observing Sawm in this case, and she does not have to make up for those days, according to the Words of Allah (Exalted be He): And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). (Part No. 4; Page No. 238) Allah (Exalted be He) also says: Allâh burdens not a person beyond his scope. And: ...and He has not laid upon you in religion any hardship As for performing Hajj and `Umrah, if it coincides with the days of her regular menstruation in the past, it is prescribed for her to perform Ghusl and assume Ihram (ritual state for Hajj or `Umrah) for Hajj, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered `Aishah to perform Ghusl for Hajj while she was menstruating. It was authentically reported that he (peace be upon him) ordered Asma' bint `Umays to perform Ghusl while she was in her postpartum period. She should perform all the rituals of Hajj except for Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka`bah); she is not permitted to perform it during the usual days of her menstruation. However, if the bleeding continues after the elapse of the usual number of days of her menstruation, or the usual time of her menstruation does not coincide with the days of Hajj and `Umrah but the abnormal bleeding occurs, she falls under the same rulings as a woman having Istihadah. Thus, she can perform Tawaf and there is no blame placed on her, but she have to cover her private parts with cotton or the like in order not to soil the Masjid (mosque) and perform Tawaf in a normal way. There is nothing wrong with her doing this. She should then carry out the rest of the rituals of Hajj and `Umrah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.




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