Nisaa
Scholars differed on whether yellowish or brownish discharge is part of Hayd. The ruling depends on whether it is associated with menstrual blood or the usual menstrual time, and whether it appears before or after the onset of menses.
The strongest view, stated by Ibn Taymiyyah, is:
- If the discharge occurs during the days of Hayd, it is considered part of Hayd.
- Once a woman reaches Tuhr (purity), by white discharge or complete dryness, this discharge is no longer Hayd.
If yellow/brown discharge appears during Hayd or immediately after it but before complete Tuhr, she should not rush to perform Ghusl.
Ibn Taymiyyah explained three opinions:
- It is always menstrual blood.
- It is never menstrual blood.
- (Correct opinion) It is menstrual blood only when it occurs during the regular menstrual period alongside red or black blood; otherwise, it is not.
Women in the Prophet’s time used to send pieces of cloth with yellow stains to ‘Aishah, and she said: “Do not hasten (to consider yourself pure) until you see the white discharge.”
After Tuhr, yellowish or brownish discharge is not significant and treated like normal impurity (like urine). Women should clean themselves (Istinja) and perform Wudu before each prayer until it stops. This is separate from the clear or white discharge many women notice in the days before their period starts at all; see why discharge increases before your period for that. It is also separate from light spotting that some women notice a day or two before bleeding starts properly, which is not by itself the onset of hayd; see why you might notice spotting before your period for that distinction. The same test decides breakthrough spotting on a hormonal pill taken to delay a period before Ramadan; see does spotting on a period delay pill break your fast for how it applies there.