What is the ruling on prayer and fasting after forty days of postpartum bleeding (nifas) if blood is discharged after inserting an IUD? Is it menstrual blood or irregular bleeding (istihada)?

Blood discharged from a woman is originally menstruation, unless doctors determine it is bleeding due to an IUD.

The maximum duration of postnatal bleeding (nifas) is forty days. If blood is discharged after that, it is not nifas. If it coincides with the days of her menstrual period, then it is menstruation; otherwise, it is irregular bleeding (istihada), which does not prevent prayer or fasting.

If a woman in nifas becomes pure before the forty days, she should perform ghusl, pray, and fast. If the bleeding continues after forty days, it is considered dysfunctional bleeding (dam fasad), which has the same ruling as istihada, unless it coincides with her monthly habit, in which case it is considered menstruation.