How Do I Determine My Purity after Menses?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

My period earlier used to last for 5-6 days. It would sometimes dry up during the 3rd or 4th day, and on the next day, I would get red blood again. But I learned that purity is determined by complete dryness, so now, during my last period, my blood stopped during my 4th day (complete dryness), and then I did my ghusl.  While doing the ghusl, I got a little red blood, but I immediately checked and had complete dryness again.

Then I prayed fajr and slept, and after I woke up, I had no bleeding whatsoever. I prayed till maghrib, but after some time after maghrib, I got red blood again, and I was still bleeding, although very little till ‘Isha prayer. Then I slept, woke up dry again for some time, and got like a transparent liquid after dhuhr. Then again, after asr, I got red blood again. I don’t know if I am pure now.

How do I determine my purity? Is it true that my dryness has to last a day and a half to confirm my purity, or even if the dryness is for a little, is it enough to determine my purity? What is the safest way to determine purity? Should I hasten as soon as I feel a slight dryness, or should I wait until I see a white discharge?

Answer

Sister, you are too hasty with determining the end of your menses. Please follow these guidelines.

The end of one’s period is determined by dryness, clear discharge, or white discharge. In your case, please wait until you see white or clear. You can wear a kursuf, a small white cotton set between the labial lips (no insertion). Once you walk around for 15-30 minutes, some moisture will come down onto it. Look at the color and determine from that.

Check your kursuf 45 minutes or so before the end of each prayer time. But only start doing this when it seems to you that your period has ended. Don’t rush it. Usually, one’s period gradually fades from red to brown to yellow to dusky, but everyone is different.

If you are still bleeding within 15 days, even if it’s intermittent, it’s all considered menstruation. In your question, you had only reached your sixth day. Note that regular exercise shortens one’s period and makes it lighter.

Dryness does not have to last a day and a half to determine its end; instead, your period is over when you suspect it is over and you check and see clear or white discharge on your kursuf. In your case, you should not judge by dryness.

Don’t hesitate to follow up and see these links for more information
How Can I Judge When My Menstrual Period Has Ended?
Was My Period Over?

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.