Ruling on the Various types of Vaginal Discharge

Discharge experienced by women can be of many types: maniy, madhi, wadi, or discharge which is none of the above three.

1) Maniy is a sexual fluid which exits the private parts with ‘extreme’ desire (orgasm) or sexual climax (meaning, at the peak of sexual excitement) with sexual fulfilment and is accompanied by contractions, such as during sexual intercourse. For women, it is a thin yellow fluid. A Ghusl is necessary after the exiting of Maniy, and it is impure. The discharge of Maniy can also take place during sleep, and also through the unlawful act of masturbation. It is a common discharge in men, and not so common in women.

2) Madhy is a pre-sexual fluid which exits when one is aroused, e.g. sexual thoughts, foreplay, etc.

3) Wady is a fluid which exits after urinating.

Only Wudu is necessary after Madhy and Wady, but both are impure.

Note that the difference between Maniy and the other two is that in the case of Maniy the desire has to reach its peak and climax (orgasm) and there are also contractions, whilst in the case of Madhy and Wady, it is only mild arousal.

4) The fourth typeof discharge requires some detail:

a) At times, the ‘discharge’ could simply be the natural moisture/sweat of the body. This moisture is produced on the outside, i.e. the vulva, which is naturally a moist organ. This moisture/sweat is pure and does not necessitate Ghusl or Wudu.

b) Another possibility is that it could be actual discharge from the vagina (the part which is penetrated during sexual intercourse). This too is a moist organ because of the glands on the walls which secrete moisture for cleansing and comfort purposes. This “chronic female vaginal discharge” (called rutubat al-farj) is also pure and does not invalidate Wudu unless it is discoloured with blood or Madhy. This discharge is not due to illness and comes out normally and regularly in many women, and is clear white and not discoloured. When possible, it is better to perform Wudu in this case but not necessary.

c) Another type of discharge is that which comes from beyond the vagina, such as the cervix, and usually secretes when ovulating and is stretchy and clear. The discharge from anywhere beyond the vagina is considered impure and invalidates Wudu. (Based mainly on Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanawi’s Imdad al-Fatawa 1/65 and Rad al-Muhtar)

(قَوْلُهُ: بِرُطُوبَةِ الْفَرْجِ) أَيْ: الدَّاخِلِ بِدَلِيلِ قَوْلِهِ أَوْلَجَ. وَأَمَّا رُطُوبَةُ الْفَرْجِ الْخَارِجِ فَطَاهِرَةٌ اتِّفَاقًا اهـ ح. وَفِي مِنْهَاجِ الْإِمَامِ النَّوَوِيِّ رُطُوبَةُ الْفَرْجِ لَيْسَتْ بِنَجِسَةٍ فِي الْأَصَحِّ. قَالَ ابْنُ حَجَرٍ فِي شَرْحِهِ: وَهِيَ مَاءٌ أَبْيَضُ مُتَرَدِّدٌ بَيْنَ الْمَذْيِ وَالْعَرَقِ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ بَاطِنِ الْفَرْجِ الَّذِي لَا يَجِبُ غَسْلُهُ، بِخِلَافِ مَا يَخْرُجُ مِمَّا يَجِبُ غَسْلُهُ فَإِنَّهُ طَاهِرٌ قَطْعًا، وَمِنْ وَرَاءِ بَاطِنِ الْفَرْجِ فَإِنَّهُ نَجِسٌ قَطْعًا كَكُلِّ خَارِجٍ مِنْ الْبَاطِنِ كَالْمَاءِ الْخَارِجِ مَعَ الْوَلَدِ أَوْ قُبَيْلَهُ. اهـ. وَسَنَذْكُرُ فِي آخِرِ بَابِ الِاسْتِنْجَاءِ أَنَّ رُطُوبَةَ الْوَلَدِ طَاهِرَةٌ وَكَذَا السَّخْلَةُ وَالْبَيْضَةُ. (قَوْلُهُ: أَمَّا عِنْدَهُ) أَيْ: عِنْدَ الْإِمَامِ، وَظَاهِرُ كَلَامِهِ فِي آخِرِ الْفَصْلِ الْآتِي أَنَّهُ الْمُعْتَمَدُ (رد المحتار)

And Allah knows best

[Mawlana] Ibrahim Peerbhai

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