I am an older woman, and the number of days of menstruation at the beginning of the cycle was seven days

The questioner : A questioner says: I am an older woman, and the number of days of menstruation at the beginning of the cycle was seven days. Then I was afflicted with an illness ten years ago, and the menstrual blood began to continue flowing for a period of approximately twenty-five days, or twenty, or fifteen days. So how many days do I sit without praying? And sometimes, before the blood comes down, I see red threads in abundance. Do I pray when I see these threads, or not? Please give me a ruling, may Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : As long as the blood continues with her for twenty-five days or twenty days, this is irregular non-menstrual bleeding. She should return to her original custom before she was afflicted with this illness, then sit for the duration of the custom, perform the full ritual bath, and pray. This is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the woman with irregular non-menstrual bleeding who had a previous custom to do: to return to her custom, then perform the full ritual bath and pray, even if the blood is flowing. This blood does not harm her. Likewise, what a woman sees of yellowish or brownish discharge before the onset of menstruation is not to be taken into account. Umm Atiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: And in the wording of al-Bukhari: without the restriction "after purity," yes.