What is the ruling regarding the prayers performed by the questioner during a period that exceeded ten days of her menstrual cycle, based on her previous belief that the maximum duration of menstruation is ten days, and then she learned that the maximum duration is fifteen days? Are these prayers considered unacceptable, and must she make them up?

The maximum duration of menstruation is fifteen days, and this is the view of the majority of scholars (jumhur) that is adopted for issuing fatwas. The Hanafis, however, hold that its maximum is ten days, and this is a less preferred (marjooh) opinion. There is no harm in adopting a less preferred opinion after an action has occurred and it is difficult to rectify it. Therefore, there is no harm in acting according to the Hanafi school regarding what has passed, but in the future, the view of the majority of scholars should be followed.