Rule: If a girl, for the first time in her life, sees bleeding that lasts for a minimum of 3 days (that is, 72 hours), she is considered to have started her periods. If the bleeding does not go beyond 10 days, the number of days she had bleeding is counted as her menstruation period. If it exceeds 10 days, 10 days of bleeding are counted as menstrual, and the remaining days are counted as istihada (non-menstrual bleeding; bleeding other than menstrual and postnatal bleeding). In other words, the duration of her period is considered 10 days.

When a girl starts bleeding for the first time, she must discontinue salat and fast. If the bleeding stops before 3 days are over, she should wait until the end of the time of salat is quite close [leaving herself with enough time to perform that salat]. Then making wudu (ablution) only without a ghusl (purificatory bath), she must perform the salat of that time. If bleeding reoccurs after she has performed that salat, she must discontinue salat again. She should act likewise until 3 days are over. She does not have to take a ghusl because it may be non-menstrual bleeding. It suffices to perform only wudu.

If blood stops after 3 days are over, she should wait until the end of the time of salat is quite close. As it is obvious that the blood flowed during 3 days is menstrual blood, she must resume salat by taking a ghusl, if blood has ended. She should act likewise until she completes 10 days as long as blood flows. She must resume salat by performing a ghusl at the completion of day 10. Because the blood that is released after day 10 is istihada, she, in this case, can perform salat by doing wudu, not ghusl.

Examples:

1. If a girl, for the first time in her life, sees blood that lasts for 2 days and thereafter remains pure for 21 days, these 2 days of bleeding are counted as istihada because the minimum menstruation period is 3 days (that is, 72 hours) according to the Hanafi Madhhab. She is considered not to have experienced menstrual bleeding this month.

EXPLANATION:

On seeing blood, she must discontinue salat. When the bleeding stops, she must resume salat on the 3rd day without performing a ghusl (purificatory bath).

2. If a girl, for the first time in her life, sees blood that lasts for 3 days and thereafter remains pure for 20 days, these 3 days of bleeding are counted as menstrual bleeding. The duration of her menstrual period is considered 3 days.

EXPLANATION:

On seeing blood, she must discontinue salat. When the bleeding stops, she must resume salat by performing a ghusl on the 4th day.

3. If a girl, for the first time in her life, sees blood that lasts for 6 days and thereafter remains pure for 21 days, these 6 days of bleeding are considered menstrual bleeding. The duration of her menstrual period is considered 6 days.

EXPLANATION:

On seeing blood, she must discontinue salat. When the bleeding stops, she must resume salat by taking a ghusl on the 7th day.

4. If a girl, for the first time in her life, sees blood that lasts for 10 days and then remains pure for 20 days, these 10 days of bleeding are considered menstrual bleeding. The duration of her menstrual period is considered 10 days.

EXPLANATION:

On seeing blood, she must discontinue salat. When the bleeding stops, she must resume salat by taking a ghusl on the 11th day.

5. If a girl, for the first time in her life, sees blood that lasts for 12 days and thereafter remains pure for 19 days, the first 10 of 12 days of bleeding are considered menstrual bleeding, and the remaining 2 days are considered istihada. The duration of her menstrual period is considered 10 days.

EXPLANATION:

On seeing blood, she must discontinue salat. When she sees bleeding on the 11th day, it is obvious that it is istihada. She must take a ghusl on the 11th day and resume salat.