The statement of the Imam عليه السلام that Asma bint Umays was instructed by the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) to perform ghusl after eighteen days does not indicate that the duration of nifas is necessarily eighteen days. Rather, it indicates that she was instructed to perform ghusl after the eighteenth day. This would have been evidence only if it was explicitly stated that the duration of nifas is eighteen days, which the narration does not assert. Regarding similar narrations, the approach to understanding and analyzing them remains consistent. There are multiple ways to address these narrations: 1. Conflicting Reports: These narrations are solitary (khabar ahad) and differ in wording and meaning. They cannot all be acted upon due to their contradictions, nor can one specific report be prioritized over others, as no single report has stronger evidence than the rest. 2. Possibility of Taqiyya: It is possible that these narrations were issued under the principle of taqiyya (dissimulation), as many of our opponents hold that the duration of nifas is longer than what we assert. Hence, the variation in the wording of the narrations may reflect the differing opinions of other sects, with responses tailored to align with their views. 3. Context of the Question: It is also possible that the questioner inquired about a specific case where the woman had gone beyond the standard duration of nifas without performing ghusl. The instructions to perform ghusl and act like a mustahadah (a woman experiencing irregular bleeding) may have been issued as corrective guidance for her current state, without validating her previous actions. The reasoning and evidence supporting our position will be clarified further.
Commentary #29