If a woman does not know which type of istiḥāḍah she has, then based on obligatory precaution, she must examine herself when she wants to perform prayers. For example, she must insert some cotton into the vagina, wait a little while, and then take it out. After discovering which of the three types of istiḥāḍah she has, she must do the things that have been instructed for that particular type.

However, if she knows that until the time she wants to perform prayers her istiḥāḍah will not change, she can examine herself before the time for prayer has set in.

Ruling 403.* If a mustaḥāḍah is able to examine herself but starts performing prayers without examining herself, then in the event that she had the intention of attaining proximity to Allah and acted in accordance with her duty – for example, her istiḥāḍah was slight and she acted according to the rules of someone who has slight istiḥāḍah – in such a case, her prayers are valid.

However, if she did not have the intention of attaining proximity to Allah or her actions were not according to her duty – for example, her istiḥāḍah was excessive but she acted according to the rules of someone who has slight istiḥāḍah – then her prayers are void.