Menstruation and Surgery [ Shafi’i ]

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question: Assalamu alaykum

I am due for a minor surgical treatment which will result in some of
my uterus lining to shed. This could last around 7 days.This surgery will take place in between the time of two period cycles. One period will end, then I will have surgery approximately 14 days later and then my next expected period is approximately seven days after this surgery. Am I correct in understanding that I cannot pray whilst I am bleeding after the surgery has taken place? Do I make up the prayers missed once the bleeding (as a result of the surgery) has stopped?

Answer: Assalamu alaykum,

I pray that this answer finds you in good health and faith (iman). I also pray that you have a speedy recovery from this surgery and return to full strength and vitality in sha Allah.

You are correct that you should not pray during the bleeding after your surgery takes place. This will be considered menstruation. If you don’t find that you have 15 days of purity (tuhr) between your last period and bleeding from surgery, you should continue to pray until a purity of 15 days is reached. This might just be one day in your case. After that, you should stop praying due to menstruation (the post-surgery bleeding) and you don’t need to make up those prayers. Don’t hesitate to ask any more questions following your surgery.

Wassalam,
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for a year and a half where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterwards, she  moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic and other sciences. Her home remains in Jordan where she has been with her family for the past 15 years. She continues to study online and on the ground.