What is the ruling if postpartum bleeding recurs during the forty-day period after a temporary cessation?
Chapter on Menstruation
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
There are two reported opinions. The first view, held by those who narrate from Ahmad, as well as 'Ata and al-Sha'bi, states that the recurrent blood is part of the initial nifas. Therefore, the woman must cease prayer and fasting. If she becomes pure again, she performs ghusl and resumes prayer and fasting. The second, and the more famous, reported opinion from Ahmad states that the recurrent blood is doubtful. In this case, she performs prayer and fasting, but she must make up the fasts in precaution. This second view mandates performing worship because the initial obligation for prayer and fasting is certain, and the cessation of obligation due to this doubtful blood is uncertain; certainty is not removed by doubt. Requiring the make-up fast is precautionary because the obligation to fast is certain, and its removal by acting during this doubtful period is uncertain.
Supporting text
The distinction between this doubtful blood and the blood exceeding six or seven days of menstruation (for one who forgets the habitual period) is that the customary period for a woman is six or seven days, making excess rare, unlike nifas. Furthermore, menstruation recurs frequently, making obligatory make-up difficult, whereas nifas does not recur in the same manner, nor does excess menstrual blood beyond the usual period.