Question
What are the evidences for estimating the postpartum period to be forty days?
Answer
I say, and with God's success: Multiple narrations indicate this, including: From Anas who said : "The period of postpartum bleeding is forty days unless she sees purity before that" in Sunan al-Daraqutni 1: 220, and others. Al-Tahanawi said in I'la al-Sunan 1: 329: Since it has been narrated through multiple chains from the sayings of the companions, this hadith cannot be considered less than good.
And from Uthman ibn Abi al-As who said : "The period for women in their postpartum bleeding is set at forty days" in Al-Mustadrak 1: 283, and he said: If this chain from Abu Bilal is sound, then it is a correct narration.
And from Abdullah ibn Amr who said : "The postpartum woman waits for forty nights; if she sees purity before that, she is pure, and if she exceeds the forty days, she is like a woman with prolonged bleeding; she must perform ablution for each prayer" in Al-Mustadrak 1: 283, and others.
And from Uthman ibn Abi al-As : "He used to say to his wives: If one of you experiences postpartum bleeding, do not approach me for forty days unless she sees purity before that" in Sunan al-Daraqutni 1: 220, and it is good as stated in I'la al-Sunan 1: 330, and others.
And from Ali ibn Abi Talib , he said: "It is not permissible for the postpartum woman to pray until she sees purity" in Sunan al-Bayhaqi al-Kabir 1: 342, and Sunan al-Daraqutni 1: 223, and others. Al-Tahanawi said in I'la al-Sunan 1: 331: Its narrators are trustworthy and its chain is acceptable, and God knows best.