Chapter on the Rules of Menstruation, Istihadah, and Nifas, and Purification From Them

Narrated by Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Ali ibn al-Hakam, from Ishaq ibn Jarir, from Hariz, who said: A woman from among us asked me to bring her to Abu Abdullah عليه السلام. I sought permission for her, and Imam عليه السلام permitted it. She entered with her servant and said: "O Abu Abdullah, what do you say about a woman who menstruates and exceeds her days of menstruation?" Imam عليه السلام said: "If her menstrual days are fewer than ten days, she should wait an additional day as a precaution, and after that, she is in the state of istihadha." She then asked: "What if the blood continues for a month, or two, or three? How should she act regarding her prayers?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "She should sit out her menstrual days, then perform ghusl (ritual purification) for every two prayers." She said to Imam عليه السلام: "Her menstrual days are irregular. Sometimes menstruation begins one, two, or three days earlier or is delayed by a similar amount. How can she determine this?" Imam عليه السلام said: "The blood of menstruation is not hidden; it is hot blood that she feels burning. The blood of istihadha is spoiled, cold blood." She then turned to her servant and said: "Do you think he was once a woman?" (aghast by the knowledge of the Imam عليه السلام)