When do I have to pray, fast, and have intercourse with my husband, if my menstruation is intermittent after a Cesarean section, where the bleeding stops on the fourth and fifth days, and sometimes even the seventh, then resumes with different colors, and lasts a maximum of twelve days, knowing that I see clear discharge at the first cessation?

The maximum duration of menstruation, according to the majority of scholars, is 15 days and nights. The minimum period of purity (Ṭuhr) between two menstrual cycles, according to the majority, is 15 days and nights, while according to the Hanbalis, it is 13 days and nights. If a woman sees blood after the minimum purity period has passed, it is considered menstruation; otherwise, it is irregular bleeding (Istihada).

When a woman experiences purity, she must perform Ghusl (ritual bath). If blood reappears within the permissible time frame, she returns to being in a state of menstruation. She has the rulings of pure women during the period of purity between the two bleedings. This period is counted within the total of 15 days (the maximum duration of menstruation). If a woman sees yellowish or brownish discharge after purity, it is not menstruation unless it occurs within her usual period.

Heavy bleeding for three days is considered menstruation. If she experiences purity, she must perform Ghusl and pray, and her husband is permitted to approach her. If the blood reappears on the seventh day, she returns to a state of menstruation until it ceases. Any yellowish or brownish discharge connected to it is considered menstruation as long as it stops before the completion of 15 days.

If the blood stops on the twelfth day, then reappears on the twenty-sixth day, this blood is considered menstruation according to the Hanbalis (due to there being more than 13 days between the two menstrual cycles), but not according to the majority of scholars (due to there being less than 15 days). Acting upon the opinion of the Hanbalis is more accommodating for women.