seeking support (الاِسْتِظْهَارُ)
الفقه أصول الفقه
التعريف :
To seek support whether the physical support of others or through an oath.
المعنى الاصطلاحي :
It is that a woman takes precautions regarding the length of her menses.
الشرح المختصر :
"Istizhhār" (taking precautions) means that a woman who has inconsistent menses waits extra days after her period to make sure that the menstrual blood has ceased. For example, if a woman’s period usually lasts for five days but blood continues to flow after the five days, she waits three extra days, considering them as part of her period (before she performs "ghusl" [ritual bath]). Any blood that flows after that is considered "istihādah" (irregular bleeding) rather than part of her period.
التعريف اللغوي المختصر :
"Istizhhār": seeking help. Other meanings: taking precautions in a certain matter.