Can a Woman Menstruate While Pregnant?

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum,

What is the hukm if one gets vaginal bleeding while she is pregnant? Is it considered menstruation?

Country: Qatar

Answer:

Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,

In the Shafi’i School, a woman can be considered to menstruate during pregnancy. Imam Nawawi stated,

والأظهر أن دم الحامل…حيض

“The relied-upon view is that the blood of a pregnant woman…is menstruation.”

Therefore, if a woman gets vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, that meets the requirements of menstruation, then it may be considered menstruation. (Tuhfat al-Muhtaj v. 1, p. 411-12)

And Allah knows best.

Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.