Changes in the menstrual cycle

Q: My menstruation used to last nine days after which I would be ritually pure for sixteen days. Ten years ago, however, my menstruation changed, increasing to fifteen days, whereas days of purity decreased to only eleven days. It remained that way for a considerable period. For example, in the month of Ramadan I only observed Salah (Prayer) and Sawm (Fast) for eleven days and the same during the rest of the months. My menstruation usually begins on the first and last days of the month, given that the blood discharged is obviously menstruation and not Istihadah (abnormal vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual or post-partum period) accompanied with a very light Kudrah (dusky-colored vaginal discharge during or after menstruation). It should be noted that during the menstruation days from the ninth to the fifteenth day the smell of the discharge is relatively mild compared to the offensive smell of the normal monthly menstruation. What really grieves me is that I cannot offer Salah and other acts of worship during this period and this affects one's faith and devotion. Likewise, the long period of the menstruation affects pregnancy, as the doctors told me that the days of the ovulation cycle begins from the eleventh to the fourteenth - a period during which I am usually ritually impure. During the last menstruation, the Kudrah continued until the sixteenth day of the month. Please advise me on what I should do as far as the acts of worship and my husband's rights are concerned, as I spend almost (Part No. 4; Page No. 208) two-thirds of the month without offering any acts of worship. May Allah reward you.

A: As long as the menstruation does not exceed its maximum period, which is fifteen days, you should abstain from offering Salah or Sawm on these days, and make up later for the days of Sawm you miss in Ramadan. Menstruating women must make up for Sawm, but not for missed Salahs. This is in accordance with the Hadith of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who said: When we menstruated during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), we were ordered to make up for Sawm, but we were not ordered to make up for Salah. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.