Hadith Text

Urwah ibn az-Zubayr said that Fatimah daughter of Abu Hubaysh narrated to him that she asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and complained to him about the flowing of (her) blood. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to her: That is only (due to) a vein: look, when your menstruation comes, do not pray; and when your menstruation ends, wash yourself and then offer prayer during the period from one menstruation to another.

Source Reference

Book: Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah)

Author: Sunan Abi Dawud

Hadith: Sunan Abi Dawud 280

Scholarly Commentary

This hadith addresses the important matter of istihadah (non-menstrual vaginal bleeding) and establishes clear rulings for women experiencing irregular bleeding. The Prophet (ﷺ) identified this condition as coming from a vein rather than menstrual blood, thus distinguishing it from hayd (menstruation).

The ruling establishes that such bleeding does not prevent a woman from prayer, fasting, or marital relations, unlike menstrual blood. The command to "wash yourself" refers to performing ghusl (ritual bath) after the actual menstruation ends, then resuming prayers during the clean period between menstrual cycles.

This teaching provides relief to women suffering from chronic bleeding, allowing them to maintain their religious obligations according to their normal menstrual cycle rather than being perpetually in a state of ritual impurity.

Legal Rulings Derived

1. Istihadah bleeding does not nullify wudu or prevent prayer

2. Women must distinguish between menstrual and non-menstrual bleeding

3. Ghusl is required only after actual menstruation ends

4. Religious obligations resume during clean periods between cycles

5. The normal menstrual cycle determines periods of ritual purity