When should a woman pray after a miscarriage?
A woman who has had a miscarriage falls into one of two cases:
1. The first is if the foetus was fully formed or its creation was clearly visible, such as its hands, feet, or other features. In this case, the woman is considered in the post-partum period (nifas). This is the opinion of the Hanafi and Hanbali schools. It is not permissible for her to pray or fast, nor is it permissible for her husband to have marital relations with her until she becomes clean from the post-partum bleeding or until forty days have passed. There is no minimum for the post-partum bleeding; if it stops, even for a few hours, she becomes clean and should perform a ritual purification (ghusl). If the bleeding continues for more than forty days, she is considered like a woman suffering from prolonged bleeding (istihada), and she must perform wudu (ablution) for each prayer.
Al-Mardawi stated: “The ruling of nifas (post-partum bleeding) is established when something is delivered that contains human features, according to the correct opinion in the school, and this has been explicitly stated.”
2. The second case is if the miscarriage does not show any clear signs of human formation. In this case, the woman is treated like a woman suffering from prolonged bleeding (istihada); she should perform wudu for every prayer and may pray and fast as she wishes. This is also the opinion of the Hanafi and Hanbali schools.
Al-Sarakhsi (Hanafi) said: “[As for a woman who has miscarried, if any part of the foetus’ formation becomes apparent, she is considered to be in the post-partum period in regard to the bleeding she experiences afterwards. If no part of its creation is visible, she is not in the post-partum period].”
Ibn Qudama (Hanbali) said: “[If a woman sees blood after delivering something in which the creation of a human being is discernible, it is considered post-partum bleeding. This was stated by Imam Ahmad. If she sees blood after discharging a clot or sperm-like substance, it is not considered post-partum bleeding].”
Shaykh Haytham Tamim 5th March 2025