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Fatwa CenterGhusl is obligatory if sperm comes out with strength and desire
Question
Assalaam alaikum Sheikh, I had gone through one of the fatwa of a Sheikh in one of the islamic sites.He said that the rule is that whenever semen exits, ghusl is necessary regardless of whether it is exited at the time of orgasm or at some other time.But many scholars say that ghusl is only obligatory if semen is discharged with sexual pleasure.What is the correct ruling.please explain giving reference from hadith.I follow the hanafi madhab.I am very depressed due to difference of opinion.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
The jurists 
hold different opinions regarding the discharge of semen without desire whether or not it necessitates Ghusl. Their view is summarized in the Fiqh Encyclopedia as follows:
“The jurists agreed that if semen comes out with strength and desire, then it is an obligation to perform Ghusl from it, but if it does not come out with strength and desire, it does not necessitate Ghusl according to the view of the majority of the scholars. However, the Shaafi’i School, and it is also one narration from Ahmad and an opinion of the Maaliki School, held the view that it is an obligation to perform Ghusl for it [i.e. even if semen does not come out with strength and desire].”
The Fatwa that we adopt here in Islamweb is the view of the majority of the scholars that it is not an obligation to perform Ghusl in this case. Nevertheless, if one performs Ghusl in order to be on the safe side and in order to avoid the difference of opinion, then this is better.
Among the evidence provided by the scholars who are of the opinion that it is an obligation to perform Ghusl in all cases is the general statement of the Prophet : (when he was asked: “Must a woman perform Ghusl if she has wet dream”): “Yes if she sees the fluid.” and also his statement “It is with the seminal emission that Ghusl becomes obligatory.” and he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not restrict that with desire and pleasure.
However, the majority of the scholars responded to this evidence saying that the Hadeeth "If she sees the fluid.” means in case of a wet dream, which happens with desire, and that the Hadeeth “It is with the seminal emission that Ghusl becomes obligatory.” was abrogated. Also, the majority of the scholars gave evidence that Ghusl is not obligatory by providing the following Hadeeth: “If you ejaculate sperm, you should perform Ghusl.” Ejaculation means that sperm comes out with strength. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 129697.
Allaah Knows best.
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