Is it permissible for a woman in nifas (postpartum bleeding) to pray if the bleeding stops before forty days?

Nifas (postpartum bleeding) is the blood discharged from the uterus due to childbirth. If a woman gives birth and does not see any blood, she is not considered a nufasa (woman in postpartum bleeding) and is not bound by the rulings of nifas.

Scholars differed regarding the obligation of ghusl (ritual bath) upon her: The view of the Maliki and Hanbali schools, and chosen by Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen: Ghusl is not obligatory upon her, because nifas is the blood, and it was not present. The view of the Shafi'i school, and chosen by the scholars of the Permanent Committee for Issuing Fatwas: Ghusl is obligatory upon her, because childbirth is a probable cause for nifas, which necessitates ghusl.

It is safer for her to perform ghusl to avoid the scholarly disagreement.

However, if blood flows for a few days and then stops, she must perform ghusl, pray, and fast. If the blood returns within the forty-day period, it is nifas, and anything beyond forty days is considered istihada (irregular vaginal bleeding).