By considering the amount of blood in istihazah, it is divided into three categories: Qalilah, Mutawassitah and Kathirah.
1. Qalilah = Slight Bleeding: The discharge which stains the cotton but does not penetrate into it.
2. Mutawassitah = Medium Bleeding: The discharge which penetrates into the cotton but does not flow out from it.
3. Kathirah = Profuse Bleeding: The discharge which penetrates into the cotton and flows out from it.
In istihazahit is possible for the discharge to change from one level to another; for example, in the beginnĀing it was qalfiah and then it became kathirah, or vice verse.
It is obvious that if a mustahazahwoman wants to follow the rules of istihazah, she must examine herself to determine whether she is qallah, mutawassitah or kathirah.
Adopted from the book : "The Ritual Ablutions for Women (Taharatu N-Nisa')" by : "Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi"