The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
أَخْبَرَنَا الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ دَاوُدَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْهَيْثَمُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي النُّعْمَانُ، وَالأَوْزَاعِيُّ، وَأَبُو مُعَيْدٍ - وَهُوَ حَفْصُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ - عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، وَعَمْرَةُ بِنْتُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتِ اسْتُحِيضَتْ أُمُّ حَبِيبَةَ بِنْتُ جَحْشٍ امْرَأَةُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ وَهِيَ أُخْتُ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتِ جَحْشٍ فَاسْتَفْتَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم
" إِنَّ هَذِهِ لَيْسَتْ بِالْحَيْضَةِ وَلَكِنْ هَذَا عِرْقٌ فَإِذَا أَدْبَرَتِ الْحَيْضَةُ فَاغْتَسِلِي وَصَلِّي وَإِذَا أَقْبَلَتْ فَاتْرُكِي لَهَا الصَّلاَةَ " . قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَكَانَتْ تَغْتَسِلُ لِكُلِّ صَلاَةٍ وَتُصَلِّي وَكَانَتْ تَغْتَسِلُ أَحْيَانًا فِي مِرْكَنٍ فِي حُجْرَةِ أُخْتِهَا زَيْنَبَ وَهِيَ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى أَنَّ حُمْرَةَ الدَّمِ لَتَعْلُو الْمَاءَ وَتَخْرُجُ فَتُصَلِّي مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَمَا يَمْنَعُهَا ذَلِكَ مِنَ الصَّلاَةِ .
"Umm Habibah bint Jahsh- the wife of 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Awf and the sister of Zainab bint Jahsh - suffered Istihadah (non-mentrual vaginal bleeding)." She said: "She consulted the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to her: 'That is not menstruation, rather that is a vein. When you period goes, perform Ghusl and pray, and when it comes, stop praying (for that period).'" 'Aishah said: "She used to perform Ghusl for every prayer and pray. Sometimes she would perform Ghusl in a washtub in the room of her sister Zainab when she was with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and the water would turn red with blood, then she would go out and pray with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). That did not stop her from praying."
Narrated by It was narrated that 'Aishah said:
Context
This hadith recounts an incident involving Umm Habibah, who experienced Istihadah, a form of non-menstrual bleeding. She sought guidance from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), who clarified that this bleeding was not menstruation and instructed her on how to manage her prayers during this time. The Prophet's response illustrates his role as a guide for women facing unique challenges regarding their prayer obligations.
Modern Application
For women today, understanding the rules surrounding prayer during menstruation and other conditions is crucial. This hadith provides reassurance that one can still maintain their prayer routine despite facing physical challenges.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Purification (Wudu/Taharah) because it addresses the conditions under which a woman can perform prayers despite experiencing bleeding.
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves."
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.
And those who no longer expect menstruation among your women - if you doubt, then their period is three months, and [also for] those who have not menstruated. And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth. And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease.
O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not [yet] reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at three times: before the dawn prayer and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon and after the night prayer. [These are] three times of privacy for you. There is no blame upon you nor upon them beyond these [periods], for they continually circulate among you - some of you, among others. Thus does Allah make clear to you the verses; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.
This hadith is #205 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Purification. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated that 'Aishah said:.