A slave woman must observe a waiting period (istibraʾ) of one menstrual cycle upon being purchased, and if someone purchases a slave and has intercourse with her before this waiting period, he has committed fornication with his own property. If a woman wishes to perform ghusl (ritual bathing) after menstruation, She must ensure She is free of menstrual blood (istibraʾ). This means inserting a piece of cotton; if blood is present, even the size of a fly's head, She should not perform ghusl. If no blood is present, She may perform ghusl. If She notices a yellowish or foul-smelling discharge, She should press her abdomen against a wall and raise her left leg, similar to the way a dog urinates, and insert a cotton piece. If it comes out with blood, She is still menstruating; if not, She is not. If She is unsure whether the blood is menstrual or from a wound in her private area, She should lie on her back and insert her finger; if the blood comes from the right side, it is from the wound, and if it comes from the left side, it is menstrual blood. If her virginity was broken by her husband and bleeding does not stop, and She does not know whether it is menstrual blood or blood from the loss of virginity, She should insert a cotton piece; if it comes out encircled with blood, it is from the rupture, and if it is soaked, it is menstrual blood. Blood from the rupture does not exceed the labia, while menstrual blood is warm and flows with intensity. Blood from irregular bleeding (istihadah) is cold and flows without the woman being aware. If a woman sees blood for five days and is pure for five days or sees blood for four days and is pure for six days, then during the days She sees blood, She should not pray, and when She is pure, She should pray, continuing this cycle for up to thirty days. If thirty days pass and She sees a continuous flow of blood, She should perform ghusl, use cotton, and secure herself for each prayer time. If She notices yellowish discharge, She should perform wudu. If a menstruating woman becomes pure while traveling and does not have enough water for a full ghusl but has enough to wash her private parts, She should wash it, perform dry ablution (tayammum), and pray. It is permissible for her husband to approach her in this state after She washes her private parts and performs tayammum. Women are discouraged from observing themselves during menstruation, as they have been prohibited from doing so.