Penile Emissions and Ghusl Fatwa No: 83714
- Fatwa Date:3-2-2002
Is Ghusl (bath) Fard after these two situations?
1) I am unable to marry and I cannot fast due to certain reasons. I am a person who is easily sexually aroused and have erections very often. Many times when I have erections after sometime (when the penis is erect or relaxing after an erection) a drop or two of fluid comes out. This fluid is sticky and a little white. I do not have an orgasm or ejaculate with force I just have an erection. I need to know if Ghusl is Fard on me every time I experience this? I have erections like this many times. a) Watching pornography, b) looking at attractive woman, c) while even praying Salah and when I go to sleep I have erotic and sexual dreams and thoughts and have erections. When I wake up, I see one or two stains of the fluid I mentioned above, on my underwear, which is white. As soon as I experience an erection, after a really short time this fluid will come out of my penis (only one or two drops will come out due to pressure). I think this in a natural reaction for men once they receive an erection and before they have an orgasm or ejaculate with force. Also I do not remember ever having any wet dreams and I do not think this is what you call wet dreams!
2) Is Ghusl Fard if one masturbates (penis receives sexual pleasure) but does not ejaculate, if the answer is yes to what extent must one receive pleasure before Ghusl is Fard? Or is it only Fard after ejaculation?
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 is His slave and Messenger.
Firstly, the Prophet advised the young men to marry if they can afford marriage. Otherwise, they are advised to observe fasting. The Prophet said: “O young people, whoever is able to marry should marry as it helps him lower his gaze and protect his private parts (from committing illegal sexual intercourse), and whoever is not able to marry, he should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual desires.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
So, we advise you to fast to the best of your ability. But, if you cannot, you have to fear Allah and be patient. Also, we advise you to avoid places of temptations and excitement. You are also advised to have righteous friends, to perform the prayer in the mosque, to acquire more beneficial knowledge, and to try to live in a righteous community.
Secondly, discharging Mani (i.e. a white liquid that comes out with strength when there is an ardent desire, and smells like palm trees or dough) necessitates Ghusl. Mani is a pure fluid, but it is desirable to wash it or clean it by hand if dried. It may be discharged while one is sleeping due to a wet dream or without it. Also, it is discharged due to masturbation or sexual act. So, one has to perform Ghusl, regardless of the quantity of the Mani discharged.
Mani is a white liquid that comes out with strength when there is an ardent desire, and smells like palm trees or dough.
As for al-Mathi (pre-seminal fluid), it is a transparent white viscid liquid. It is discharged before orgasm and caused by touching a woman, hugging, kissing, or even gazing at a woman. It does not require performing Ghusl. You just have to wash your penis and your clothes since it is impure, and then renew your ablution.
Thirdly, erection (of one's penis) without discharging al-Mathi, does not invalidate ablution or nullify the prayer. This means that you have to perform your ablution and prayer again only in case of discharging such a fluid. So, we advise you to think about actions of the prayer and recite the Quran while in prayer.
If you discharge Mani while you are in prayer, your prayer becomes invalid and you have to perform ablution and Ghusl, and then make up your prayer.
In addition, if you wake up and find traces of Mani on your clothes, then you have to perform Ghusl.
As for masturbation, performing Ghusl becomes obligatory just by discharging Mani by any means. Also, we remind you that masturbation is forbidden. It also has bad health consequences on the soul and body. So, you have to avoid it for Allah's Sake and Pleasure.
Fourthly, it is necessary to remind you that a young man who lives in accordance with the teachings of Islam is much better that one who spends day and night committing misdeeds and does not show any fear of Allah.
The Prophet said: “Seven people will be sheltered under the 'Arsh (literally means the Throne) of Allah on the Day of Judgement …(among them he mentioned) a young man who spends his youth in worship and service of Allah.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In addition, the Prophet advised us saying “Let your tongue be always wet (busy) with the remembrance of Allah.”
In other words, you have to repeat the Prophetic forms of Thikr (mention of Allah) day and night. You should recite the last two Chapters of the Quran, verse of al-Kursi [Quran 2:255] and the last two verses of Surah al-Baqrah [Quran 2]. If you, by Allah's dint, perform ablution and read such forms of Thikr, no devil can annoy you at night. Know that a good dream is from Allah and a bad one is from the devil.
For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 339997, 93578, 213520, 81587, 85710, 88600,
Allah knows best.