What is the ruling regarding the blood a woman sees if it appears for a short period, then turns brown or yellow, and sometimes returns to its normal color, then the menstrual period descends naturally? Is it considered menses if it continues for a day and a night, or must the red color of the blood continue for a full night to be considered menses?

The minimum duration of menstruation is a matter of scholarly disagreement. According to the Maliki school and Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, there is no minimum limit to its duration, and this is a strong opinion. The majority of scholars hold that its minimum is one day and one night.

If a woman sees blood, she must cease praying. If the blood is accompanied by yellowish or brownish discharge, it is considered menstruation. If the blood and its accompanying yellowish or brownish discharge continue for a day and a night, it is menstruation. However, if it stops before that duration, she should not perform ghusl. If the blood reappears and its total duration, along with the accompanying yellowish or brownish discharge, when added to the previous bleeding, reaches a day and a night, then it becomes clear that the previous blood was indeed menstruation.

Thus, yellowish and brownish discharge connected to blood is considered menstruation, whether it occurs before or after the passing of a day and a night. Therefore, the woman should refrain from fasting and praying during this time.