Question
Is it necessary to perform ghusl after the end of postpartum bleeding?
Answer
I say, and with God's success: It must be interrupted; due to the consensus of the nation on that, and because it is similar to menstruation, as it only comes from the womb, and the cessation of menstruation necessitates a ritual bath; as His Almighty says: {And do not approach them until they are pure} Al-Baqarah: 222, according to the reading with emphasis, for He, Glory be to Him, forbade approaching them until they have bathed, and if it were not obligatory, He would not have prohibited it. And from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her: "Fatimah bint Abi Hubaysh was experiencing irregular bleeding, so she asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he said: That is a vein, and it is not menstruation; when menstruation comes, refrain from prayer, and when it goes, bathe and pray," in Sahih al-Bukhari 1: 122, and Al-Mustadrak 1: 281. And from Mu'adh, may Allah be pleased with him, he said (peace be upon him): "If the postpartum woman sees purity after seven days, she should bathe and pray," in Al-Mustadrak 1: 284, and Al-Tahanawi said in I'la al-Sunan 1: 203: Its chain of narration is authentic according to the principles of the treasure mentioned in his sermon. Refer to: Al-Ikhtiyar 1: 20, and Sharh al-Wiqayah p. 95, and Allah knows best.