When should a woman purify herself after her menstrual period ends: immediately upon the cessation of blood, or after seeing the white discharge (al-qassah al-bayda’)? Is the white discharge a condition for purification? And must she make up prayers and fasts if she purifies herself immediately upon the cessation of blood without waiting for the white discharge?

The white discharge (al-Qassah al-Bayda') is one of the two signs of purity, and seeing it is not a prerequisite for purification from menstruation if the bleeding has ceased completely. Purity is indicated by one of two signs: the white discharge or dryness (al-Jufuf). If the questioner experiences dryness and purifies herself thereafter, she has done correctly, and she is not obliged to wait for the white discharge. However, if she used to see it previously, it is recommended for her to wait for it after dryness, provided it does not cause the prayer time to expire. The presence of discharge with the characteristics of the white discharge days after purification is not considered a sign of purity.