Ruling concerning a discharge of blood five days before giving birth

Question: A woman had bleeding during pregnancy, five days before giving birth, during the month of Ramadhaan. Should that blood be considered menstruation or istihaadha and what are the obligations upon her?

Response: If the matter is as mentioned, with her seeing blood five days before giving birth, and she did not have any signs that labor would be soon, such as contractions, in that case, the blood is neither menstruation nor post-partum bleeding. It is simply irregular blood. Therefore, she should not abandon the acts of worship but she must fast and pray. If along with the blood she has signs that her labor is near, such as contractions, then it is considered post-partum bleeding and she abandons, due to it, praying and fasting. Then if she becomes pure after giving birth, she must make up the days of fasting but not the prayers.

And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

The Permanent Committee for Research and Fataawa
Fataawa al-Mar.ah