𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (310)

Validity of Divorce Issued During Menstruation/Postpartum Bleeding and How to Calculate The ’iddah Sheikh Yahya hafidahullah said: The Prophet ﷺ referred to menstruation as nifās when he said (addressing ’Ā'ishah), "Are you in state nifās?" He referred to menstruation as nifās. So the term nifās may be used in reference to menstruation. Can nifās be referred to as hayḍh/menstruation? No. Despite this distinction, the rulings for both are similar, particularly regarding the prohibition of prayer, marital relations during these periods, etc. Regarding the validity of divorcing a woman in nifās, it follows the same ruling as divorcing a woman in menstruation. The Prophet ﷺ counted the divorce issued by ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar while his wife was menstruating. Although there is a difference of opinion in the matter, but this is the stronger view (that such a divorce is valid). As for the waiting period (‘iddah), it begins from the moment the husband pronounces divorce, and it does not conclude until the woman has completed three menstrual cycles (qur). [As Allāh said (interpreted meaning)]: "And divorced women shall wait [before remarrying] for three quroo' (i.e. menstrual cycles)." [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:228] However long the duration. A woman may breastfeed for two full years and as a result does not experience menstruation during that time, so her waiting period does not end until she completes three menstrual cycles. The correct opinion is that the term qur' in the Āyah refers to menstruation, not purity, as the Prophet ﷺ said: "Refrain from prayer during the days of your qur'." — A woman refrains from prayer only during her menstruation, not during her period of purity. Thus, a divorced woman’s ‘iddah only ends after she has completed three full menstrual cycles, with her ’iddah concluding at the end of the last menstrual period, not at its beginning, based on the aforementioned evidences.