طهر
Tuhr
Pronounced: TUHR (the "u" is short, like "put")
Tuhr means purity or cleanliness in Arabic. In fiqh related to menstruation, tuhr refers to the clean period between two cycles of hayd, when a woman is free from menstrual bleeding and has full worship obligations. Recognizing when tuhr begins is what tells a woman to perform ghusl and resume her prayers.
Why it matters for your worship
Tuhr is the signal that your prayer and fasting obligations have returned. Identifying it correctly means you do not delay your ghusl or miss prayers unnecessarily. It also matters for determining whether spotting between cycles is still hayd or has become istihadha. The signs of tuhr (white discharge or complete dryness) are what scholars point to when women ask "how do I know my period is over?"
How the four madhabs differ
| Madhab | Ruling |
|---|---|
| Hanafi | Minimum tuhr between two hayd periods is 15 days. If bleeding returns before 15 clean days have passed, it may be considered part of the previous hayd or istihadha. |
| Shafi'i | Minimum tuhr is 15 days. This is the most common position across the schools. |
| Maliki | Minimum tuhr is 15 days in the well-known position. Some Maliki scholars accept shorter periods of purity in certain circumstances. |
| Hanbali | Minimum tuhr is 13 days according to some scholars, though 15 days is also cited. The Hanbali school is slightly more lenient on this point. |
Common questions
How do I know my tuhr has started?
Tuhr begins when you see one of two signs: a white discharge (known as "qassa bayda") or complete dryness when you check with a white cloth or tissue. If you see either of these, your hayd has ended and your tuhr has begun. At this point, you should perform ghusl and resume praying.
What if I see spotting during tuhr?
Light spotting or brownish discharge during tuhr is a common source of confusion. According to most scholars, if you have already seen the signs of purity and the spotting occurs after that, it does not count as hayd. Umm Atiyya (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "We did not consider the yellowish or brownish discharge after purity to be anything." However, if the bleeding is clearly red and returns within the tuhr period, your madhab's rules on minimum tuhr will determine whether it is a new hayd or istihadha.
What is the minimum tuhr between two periods?
Most scholars across the four madhabs hold that the minimum tuhr is 15 days. This means if bleeding returns fewer than 15 clean days after your previous hayd ended, it is typically not considered a new hayd. The exact ruling depends on your madhab and individual circumstances.
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