Q. My sister this happened to her. Her period started, then it stopped after 1 day and one night, then it restarted after 3 days. Now is it haiz or is it not haiz and how can we know? How would she know which is which? It is all so confusing…and about salah, what does she do?

A. We intend to make it simple for you. Here is a small chart to make it simple for you, it would allow you to do your own calculation. However, we still suggest that after you do your calculation, you have it approved by another scholar to see if you understand the rules that apply to you:

• Minimum amount of days for haiz is 3 days
• Maximum amount days for your haiz would not exceed10 full days
• Bleeding which was experienced by you does not need to be continuous but will be counted
• Bleeding which occurs after the full 10th day is called istihaza.
• The minimum period of purity between ones cycle is 15 days

In light of this information, the day it all started remains as part of your menses, the brief interruption of 3 days is also part of your menses. Just because you did not see blood or any sign of it does not mean that you have been freed from it. Hoping it becomes clearer for you: assuming your menses habit was 10 full days, and from the 1st day it all lasted up to the 10th full day and night, then we would say that anything seen after the 10th full day and night, would be viewed as istihaza.

Once you clearly understand the above, you would realize that during istihaza, salaah must be read with fresh wudhu for each salaah performed.

(See other answers on this topic for your clarification.)

Allah certainly knows best.