What is the ruling on yellowish and brownish discharge for a woman whose menstrual cycle has changed and she does not know when her period is supposed to be?

The opinion of Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him, settled on the view that yellowish or brownish discharge (صفرة وكدرة) after the cessation of menstrual bleeding is not considered menstruation. This is also the chosen view of Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, who based his reasoning on the Almighty's saying: "And they ask you about menstruation. Say, 'It is a discomfort'," and on the Hadith (definition) of Umm Atiyyah: "We did not consider the yellowish or brownish discharge as anything after purification."

Therefore, a woman should perform ghusl (definition) (ritual purification) when the bleeding stops, and then she can pray, fast, and her husband may approach her, even if she sees yellowish or brownish discharge. This opinion offers ease for women.

As for the majority opinion, they consider yellowish and brownish discharge as menstruation if seen during a time when it is possible for it to be menstruation, even if it is not during the woman's usual period. An ordinary person should follow the scholar he trusts.