Question Summary:
Questions about Haydh and Nifas

Question Detail:

 
I have 2 questions about Haydh and Nifas.
1) I don't remember the day and time that the postnatal bleeding started and ended last time when I gave birth but I do remember it was less than 6 weeks, no spotting and then I clearly got a period after
This is the 3rd child. I'm 7.5 weeks postpartum right now and I've had off and on spotting for a while and now it's continuously a mild flow.
The problem is I cannot remember my last nifas habit so how do I know what is nifas and what is istihada? 
2. Since 2008 I have been spotting (not white discharge) throughout the year on and off. 
In Dec 2015 I bled 29th to the 6th January. What was Haydh and was Istihada?  
In Jan 18th to the 21st I bled again. 
Jan 27th to 30th again I bled. 
16th Feb to 19 Feb I bled. 
23rd Feb to 26th Feb I bled
Mar 16 to 19 I bled
Throughout April I have been spotting on and off every other day. 
May 10th to the 13th I bled
June 11th  evening to the 14th morning I bled

My period has been irregular from 2008. Though recently I am having to wear a pad 3 to 4 weeks every month. This is because for the past few months my bleeding has become incredibly spotty.
a)       So my question is in all the above situations what is haidh and what is istihada?
b)       I am currently spotting. Again how do I know what is haidh and what is istihada?
 
May Allah reward you abundantly!

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is normal for the cycle of a woman to change especially for the past 8 years as you refer your cycle from 2008. We advise you follow the general principle of 40 days for Nifaas (post natal bleeding).Thereafter, 15 days will be Istihaadha. The bleeding thereafter will be Haidh for a minimum of 3 days and maximum of 10 days. 
If you bleed lesser than 3 days, it will be Istihaadha. If you bleed 3 days or more, it will be Haidh. It is possible your cycle of bleeding lesser than 10 days will change. In that situation, if you are certain the bleeding has stopped and will not resume, you may consider that to be your Haidh.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.