Question:
Does a woman have to pray during post-partum bleeding?
Answer:
الجواب باسم ملهم الصواب
It is not permissible for a woman to perform Salah during post-partum bleeding (also known as ‘Nifaas’ in Shariah).
In general, there is no minimum period of Nifaas. Therefore, as soon as the bleeding stops, a woman must start performing Salah again.
The maximum period of Nifaas is forty days. Thus, a woman must start performing Salah after forty days of childbirth, even if the bleeding does not stop after that period.
If, however, the bleeding stops before the fortieth day, a woman should not wait for that period to finish, rather, should start performing Salah immediately without any delay.
Only Allah Knows best.
Answered by:
Abdullah Fahim
Imam & Khateeb, Masjid Taqwa
Kyrwicks Lane, Birmingham
22nd Sh’aban 1441 AH
قال في التنوير: «والنفاس دم يخرج عقب ولد لا حد لأقله، وأكثره أربعون يوما، والزائد استحاضة»
وقال في الدر: «وحكمه كالحيض في كل شيء إلا في سبعة ذكرتها في الخزائن» (راجع رد المحتار مع الدر: ج 2، ص 292-295، دار الثقافة والتراث، دمشق)