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Many jurists stated that the shortest length of a woman’s period is a day and a night, and the longest is fifteen days. The majority of scholars quoted as evidence for that based on common custom (العرف ). What is usually the case is that a woman’s period does not last for more than fifteen days. However, there is no straightforward proof for such a claim. There is no definitive number of days for the minimum or maximum length of menses because Allah says (what might be translated as):
“They ask you concerning menstruation. Say: that is an Adha (a harmful thing for a husband to have sexual intercourse with his wife while she is having her menses), therefore, keep away from women during menses and go not unto them till they are purified (from menses and have taken a bath)” [al-Baqarah 2:222]
When a woman menstruates, her period is over when the menstrual blood stops, regardless of whether the blood is a lot or a little.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said there was no minimum or maximum for it; when the bleeding is present with its distinct qualities, this is menstruation, whether it is a little or a lot.
He said:
“Menstruation (al-hayd): Allah has attached numerous rulings to it in the Quran and Sunnah, but He did not state the shortest or longest length (of a menstrual period), or the length of the period of taharah between two menstrual periods, even though the need to know that exists.”
He also said:
“Some of the scholars defined a maximum and minimum, but they differed concerning that, and some stated a maximum length without defining a minimum. The third view is most correct, which states that there is no minimum or maximum.” (Majmu’ al-Fatawa, 19/237)
Based on this, it is not permissible for you to pray except after the period has ended and you have done ghusl (full ablution). The ending of menstruation may be known from one of two signs: either the emission of a white discharge which comes at the end of the period or by total cessation of bleeding.
