The Ghusls related to Girls and Women

From all of the Wajib Ghusls, three, meaning the Ghusl of Haidh, Istihadha, and Nifas are Wajib only for girls and women. The reason for these Ghusls is in relation to the blood that is discharged from the womb of the woman and each of these has their own specific rulings.

Ghusl of Haidh (Menstruation)

• When the discharge of blood from the menstrual period stops, the woman must perform Ghusl in order to perform Salat and other actions for which Taharat is necessary.
• The blood of menstruation does not occur before the age of Bulugh (9 years), and therefore if a girl sees blood before this, then it does not have the ruling of Haidh.
• The duration of Haidh can not be less than three days, therefore if the blood that is discharged stops before three days, then it will not be considered as Haidh.
• The duration of Haidh can not continue for more than ten days, therefore if a woman sees blood for more than ten days, then the period after ten days will not have the same ruling as Haidh.
• The blood of Haidh is usually thick, warm, and dark in colour, and is discharged with pressure and a bit of burning.
• During the period of Haidh, the following actions are Haraam for a woman:

1. Salat and Tawaf of the Ka’bah
2. All the actions that are Haram for a Junub (such as staying in a Masjid)
    

• During the period of menstruation, performing Salat and fasting are not Wajib. As for the Salat that were missed, they do not have to be made up, however the fasts that were not kept, one must keep up the Qadha of them.
• The Ghusl of Haidh is no different than the Ghusl of Janabat, except for the intention.
• A woman can not perform Salat simply by performing the Ghusl of Haidh, rather, along with the Ghusl, she must also perform Wudhu as well.

Ghusl of Istihada

• One of the other types of blood that is discharged by girls and women for a certain period of time from the womb, is called Istihada.
• The blood of Istihada is usually yellow in colour, cold, and comes out without force or burning, and is not thick; but it is possible that sometimes it may possess a dark colour, warm, is thick, and comes out with force.
• The blood of Istihada in relation to the quantity that comes out, is divided broken up into three categories. If it is very little in quantity, Ghusl is not needed, but it does make the Wudhu void; and if it is not a little quantity, Ghusl becomes Wajib. For a better understanding of the rules of each of these categories, women can refer to the Tawdihul Masa’il.

Ghusl of Nifas

The Ghusl of Nifas is related to childbirth and does not occur in any other instance. This Ghusl must be performed after the blood that comes out following delivery is seen.