Can I fast with irregular bleeding (istihadah)?

Detailed answer

Yes. Bleeding outside a woman's normal period, called istihadah, does not stop her from fasting or praying. Her fasts in Ramadan are valid. Only the days that are her real period are days without fasting and prayer.

What the Sunnah says

Fatimah bint Abi Hubaysh had continuous bleeding and asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) whether she should stop praying. He said: "No, that is a vein, it is not menstruation. When your period comes, leave the prayer, and when it ends, wash off the blood and pray" (Bukhari and Muslim). Scholars apply the same to fasting.

How do I tell the difference?

• Your usual habit: if you normally have, for example, a six-day period at the start of the month, those six days count as your period and the rest is istihadah.
• The type of blood: if you have no clear habit, many women can recognise menstrual blood by its darker colour, thickness and smell, compared with lighter, thinner bleeding.
• If neither helps, many scholars take the usual length of a period among women, about six or seven days a month.

Every case is a little different. If your situation is complicated, ask a trusted local scholar, ideally with information from your doctor.

In practice during Ramadan

• Fast every day that is not part of your period.
• For prayer, most scholars say you make a fresh wudu for each prayer once its time has come, after cleaning yourself and using a pad.
• Do not worry about drops during the prayer or the day; they do not break your wudu for that prayer or your fast.
• Intimate relations with your spouse are allowed at night during istihadah according to most scholars.

Look after your health

Ongoing bleeding can make you tired or anaemic. Follow your doctor's advice, ideally a doctor who understands fasting, and do not stop any treatment. If fasting becomes too hard because of illness, the rules for fasting when sick apply.

See also fasting during your period and pills to delay a period.