Are the yellowish and brownish discharges before and after menstruation considered part of menstruation, and how do we know when purity has been achieved?

The questioner : Because we stated that there is no consideration for yellowish or brownish discharge, whether it occurs before or after menstruation. We said that this is a view that brings ease and aligns with the hadith of Umm Atiyyah, where they said, "We did not consider yellowish or brownish discharge to be anything until after purity, merely the end of the period." This is the view of the Zahiris, and it is a strong view to make the criterion the blood, considering yellowish and brownish discharge to be nothing. This also brings ease for people, because I mentioned to you yesterday that some women do not stop having yellowish discharge; it remains from one period to the next, and for some people, their yellowish discharge lasts two, three, or four days after purity. We say she prays until the blood comes. Yes. The stronger of the two interpretations in the story: is it the cotton or the white water?

The Shaykh : No, it is the cotton, but it is called white because the white water does not affect it in any way, so it is called the white cotton.

The questioner : And the small thread that comes out after menstruation is white.

The Shaykh : It appears that this follows, meaning it is a sign of purity, without a doubt.

The questioner : And it is not the cotton.

The Shaykh : The cotton is the cotton that, when used as a tampon or to wipe the vulva, comes out white.

The questioner : But sometimes one uses cotton during menstruation and it comes out white.

The Shaykh : No, this is Ibn Hajar’s response to those who say that the end of menstruation, or that the discharge from menstruation, is determined solely by the cessation of blood.

The questioner : But this is a reality, O Shaykh; some women use cotton as a tampon, and it comes out white.

The Shaykh : It must have moisture in it.

The questioner : It has moisture, but it is not.

The Shaykh : If it has moisture, it means she has become pure. But if she knows that she is in the middle of menstruation and the blood stops, and this is her custom, we do not rule that she is pure until the time has passed. The yellowish discharge. Yes. This is one of the views, and I mentioned to you yesterday that there is a view that the yellowish discharge that comes immediately after menstruation, or comes immediately after menstruation, is a follower of menstruation, and that some scholars considered the time. In any case, there is scholarly disagreement in this issue, but the view that brings ease is the view of the Zahiris: if the blood remains, it is menstruation, and if it stops, even if yellowish discharge remains, it is not menstruation. If she does not see the white cotton, the cessation of blood is the sign of purity, unless it is her custom to stop during menstruation, in which case she should wait until it is finally over. What is the need for using a tampon? As long as she knows that it cannot be the white cotton, there is no need. If the blood stops, it appears.