Is what the questioner did correct in considering the blood that came out of her to be menstruation at times and istihada (non-menstrual bleeding) at other times, based on its duration and color, knowing that she fasted in both cases and prayed in the case of istihada?

The sayings of the scholars differ regarding the minimum duration of menstruation: - Hanbalis and Shafi'is: One day and one night. - Hanafis: Three days and their nights. - Malikis: There is no minimum limit.

Based on this: - The continuation of blood for one day without its night is not considered menstruation by the majority of scholars, and your fast in this case is valid. - If blood appears after fifteen days or more from the cessation of the last menstruation, it is legally considered menstruation, and you must break your fast, abstain from prayer, and make up for the days you fasted while the blood was present. - The maximum duration of menstruation is fifteen days, and anything beyond that is considered Istihada (non-menstrual vaginal bleeding). - If purity occurs with the discharge of the white fluid (al-Qassah al-Bayda') or the complete dryness of the area, then menstruation has ceased.