What is the ruling on my breaking my fast and abandoning prayers while blood is present internally but does not exit until after 'Isha, and is this considered menstruation?
The blood that is present inside the vagina (the place where a cotton swab is inserted) and does not outwardly appear is considered menstruation (hayd). This is the view of the Shafi'is and Hanbalis, and a narration from Imam Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Shaybani. The criterion is the presence of blood inside the vagina, which becomes evident by the staining of the cotton swab. They cite as evidence the Almighty's saying: (And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is a harm.") This is also indicated by what Umm 'Alqamah narrated from 'Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, concerning women asking about yellowish discharge on a cotton swab. Some scholars are of the view that it is not menstruation until the blood appears outwardly from the vagina. This is the view of the Hanafis, and Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymeen preferred this opinion. However, the first opinion is more preponderant due to the strength of its evidence. Therefore, if a woman inserts a cloth and it comes out stained with blood at the time of her period, then it is menstruation, and the rulings of menstruation apply to her.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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