Should a woman in postpartum bleeding (nifas) cease praying if her bleeding exceeds forty days and she has not seen the signs of purity, especially since she has never seen the white discharge (al-qassah al-bayda’)? And what is the evidence that the maximum duration for postpartum bleeding (nifas) is forty days?

Every bleeding a woman sees during the forty-day period is considered nifas (postpartum bleeding). As for what she sees after the bleeding stops, such as yellowish or brownish discharge during this period, there is a difference of opinion regarding it. However, what exceeds forty days is, according to the preponderant opinion, not considered nifas, because the maximum duration of nifas is forty days. After forty days, the woman is considered to be in a state of istihadah (non-menstrual vaginal bleeding), so she performs ghusl (ritual bath) and wudu (ablution) for every prayer. The Shafi'is and Malikis, however, are of the opinion that the maximum duration of nifas is sixty days.