Assalaamu alaykum. I did not have my menses for 5 months. Then in the 6th, 7th, and 8th month, I saw brownish, yellowish, brown-orangish, yellow-orangish, and pinkish colors for four to six days each month, but no bleeding (red blood). There were more than 15 days of purity in between each. Should I consider those my menses? I know that the discolored discharge before and after menses are considered in the menses, but what about a discolored discharge in itself, without actual blood? Are these also considered menses? I am truly confused and need help understanding the cycle. Please answer at your earliest convenience. May Allah reward you.

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The scholars held different views regarding the ruling on such discharges as described in the question. The majority of the scholars held that they are considered menses. Some scholars, like Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, held that they are not menses in an absolute sense (i.e. not in all cases). The Hanbalis held that they are considered menses if they are discharged during the regular time of menses, and this is the view that we adopt at Islamweb. In any case, you may follow the opinion of the scholar whom you trust.

Allah knows best.