Understanding Yellow Discharge in Menstruation: A Hanafi Perspective
For many Muslim women, navigating the rulings of menstruation (Hayd) can be complex, especially when discharge is not clearly red or brown. One of the most commonly asked questions is about yellow discharge — when does it count as menstruation? When is it purity? In this post, we explore how yellow blood is understood according to the Hanafi madhhab (school of thought).
What is Yellow Discharge?
Yellow discharge refers to any yellow-tinged fluid that may appear before, during, or after the menstrual cycle. It can range from pale yellow to dark mustard. It is often confusing because its appearance can vary and it might be mistaken for purity or ongoing menstruation.
Hanafi Ruling: It Depends on Timing
In the Hanafi school, the key factor is when the yellow discharge occurs, not the colour itself. Here’s the breakdown:
1. During Menstruation Days (Within 10 Days)
If the yellow discharge appears within the 10-day limit of a woman’s menstrual cycle, and it is connected to other colours of blood or discharge (like red or brown), it is considered Hayd (menstruation).
🔹 Example: If a woman sees red bleeding for 4 days and then sees yellow discharge on days 5 and 6 — these are all considered part of her period.
2. After Bleeding Stops but Within 10 Days
Even if the red bleeding stops, if yellow discharge appears within 10 days of the start of menstruation and no sign of clear or white discharge is seen (a sign of purity), it is still considered part of Hayd.
3. After the White Discharge (Tuhr)
If a woman sees a white or clear discharge, which is considered a sign of purity (tuhr), and then later sees yellow discharge, this yellow discharge is not Hayd. It is considered part of the purity period, and normal acts of worship may resume (prayer, fasting, etc.).
🔹 Important: White discharge is the signal that menstruation has ended. Anything seen after that — even yellow, brown, or pink — is not menstruation.
When Yellow Discharge Invalidates Wudhu
If a woman sees yellow discharge outside of her period, it is not considered menstruation — but it does invalidate her wudhu. She must renew wudhu for each salah, but she may pray, fast, and recite Quran.
Summary
| Timing of Yellow Discharge | Ruling |
|---|---|
| During menstrual days (≤10 days) | Considered Hayd |
| After period but no white discharge | Still considered Hayd |
| After clear/white discharge (tuhr) | Considered tuhr (purity) |
| Outside menstrual cycle | Not Hayd, invalidates wudhu |
Final Advice
If you’re unsure about whether your discharge counts as menstruation, it’s always best to:
Track your usual habit (number of days you bleed and the pattern).
Look out for the white discharge as your sign of purity.
Consult a qualified scholar or trusted female teacher when in doubt.
The My Hayd app is designed to help simplify this process by logging colours, tracking purity signs, and applying the rulings of the Hanafi school — so you can focus on worship with confidence.