What is the opinion of Malik, Abu Hanifah, and Al-Shafi'i regarding the bleeding of a beginner (Mubtadi'ah)?
Chapter on Menstruation
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Malik, Abu Hanifah, and Al-Shafi'i rule that she refrains from prayer for all the days she sees blood up to the maximum duration of menstruation. If it stops at the maximum duration or less, all of it is considered menses. This is because the initial flow is ruled as menses, even though it could potentially be irregular bleeding, and similarly, the flow during that time is ruled menses. They hold that menstrual blood is natural ('dam jibilah'), while irregular bleeding is due to a temporary illness or severed vessel, and the default is health and well-being, meaning the blood is natural menses rather than affliction.
Supporting text
The counter-argument is that refraining for more than the minimum duration of menstruation constitutes ruling her free from an obligatory act of worship, which should not be ruled upon the first time, similar to a waiting woman ('Mu'taddah') whose required waiting period is not cleared by the first menses. Refraining only for one day and one night is insufficient as it is not certain. Failing to set a period would result in no period being set at all. Since she has no established cycle or distinguishing signs, she should not be required to refrain for the maximum duration, similar to the woman who forgot her cycle (Nasiyah).