Is seeing blood when inserting a cotton swab during Ramadan considered menstruation, and does one have to break their fast and pray then?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Linguistically, "hayd" (menstruation) means flowing, and menstrual blood was named as such because of its flow. Scholars have defined it as the blood released by a woman's womb when she reaches puberty, and which then recurs regularly. Accordingly, the condition mentioned by the questioner is not considered menstruation as long as the blood has not flowed down and there is no discharge. Therefore, she is not permitted to break her fast or abandon prayer.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- 62743
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