What is the ruling on irregular brown discharge that rarely ceases, and does it necessitate ghusl and prayer?

The majority of scholars hold that the maximum duration for menstruation is fifteen days. If the blood flow exceeds this period, the woman is considered to be in a state of istihada (non-menstrual bleeding). There are several scenarios for a woman in istihada:

- If she had a previous regular period ( عادتها السابقة), she should consider that duration as her menstruation and the excess as istihada. - If she can accurately distinguish between menstrual blood and other blood (تمييز صحيح لدم الحيض), she should consider what she distinguishes as menstrual blood to be her menstruation. - If she has both a regular period and the ability to distinguish (عادة وتمييز), scholars differ on which one takes precedence. - If she has neither a regular period nor the ability to distinguish (لم تكن معتادة ولا مميزة), she should consider the prevalent menstrual cycle among the women of her family (غالب عادة نساء أهلها), which is typically six or seven days.

A woman in a state of istihada must pray and fast, and she must perform ablution (wudu') for each prayer after its time has begun. She should also take precautions (تتحفظ) regarding what exits from her private parts.

Regarding brown discharge: If it occurs during the menstrual period or is connected to it (في زمن الحيض أو متصلة به), then it is considered menstruation. If it occurs after purification (بعد الطهر), it is not menstruation, but it necessitates cleaning the private parts and invalidates ablution. If it continues, it takes the ruling of istihada.

In all cases, these discharges are impure (نجسة).