The Place of Habit Affects the Calculation of Menses (Haidh)

Q. Does the place of a woman’s menstrual (Haidh) habit affect or change the calculation of menstruation (Haidh)?

A. In the case of continuous/irregular spotting, the place of a woman’s habit affects the calculation and determination of menses (Haidh).

As an example, a woman has a menstrual habit (valid Haidh) of spotting 5 days at the start of every Month, from day 1 to day 5 and a clean habit (valid Tuhr) of 25 days (the rest of the Month). As such, her menstrual (Haidh) habit is 5 days and the place of her habit is at the start of every Month, from day 1 to day 5.

However, in the following Month, she experiences continuous/irregular spotting and spots continuously for 11 days, from day 3 to day 14.

In such a case, the following rule applies:

If the spotting exceeds 10 days and a minimum number (Nisaab) of 3 days spotting is found in the place of habit, only the days of spotting in the place of habit will be counted as menses (Haidh). The rest of the spotting will be counted as dysfunctional bleeding (Istihaadhah).

As such, her menses (Haidh) habit has changed to 3 days and the place of her habit has changed, from day 3 to day 5 (not from day 1 to day 3). This is because the spotting exceeded 10 days and a minimum number (Nisaab) of 3 days spotting is found in the place of habit. The 8 days outside the place of her habit, from day 6 to day 14, is Istihaadhah.

If however, she experiences continuous/irregular spotting and spots continuously for 11 days, from day 4 to day 15, the place of her habit will not have relevance and the the general rules of menses (Haidh) and (Istihaadhah) will apply.

This is because the spotting exceeded 10 days but a minimum number (Nisaab) of 3 days spotting was not found in the place of habit. (Manhal-Ul-Waarideen 180-186)

N.B. The above is just one example in which the place of habit affects the calculation of menses (Haidh). One should consult with an experienced Alim/Mufti to determine one’s correct menstrual (Haidh) habit.

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com