8 Shar’i Rulings on Maniy, Madhī, and Wadiy Explained Clearly

Question

Are semen (mani), madhi and wadi all impure substances of the same kind?

Answer

الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!

Difference of Scholars:

There is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding whether semen is pure or impure. The preferred and correct view is that semen is pure, but it is better to wash or scrape it off for the sake of cleanliness. It is similar to nasal mucus or saliva.

Evidences:

➊ The hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):
“Indeed, she used to scrape semen from the garment of the Prophet ﷺ, and then he would pray in it”

If semen were impure, scraping would not suffice, since scraping does not completely remove an impurity.

➋ The narration in Musnad Ahmad:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to remove semen from his garment with a blade of grass, and then he would pray in that same garment”

This is not a matter of impure substances but of natural cleanliness.

➌ The narration of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him):
“Semen is like nasal mucus, saliva and phlegm. It should be removed with a cloth or a blade of grass”

This hadith is sahih as a mawquf report, and several muhaddithun have also declared it sahih as a marfu’ report

➍ The statement of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):
“If the semen is wet, wash it; if it is dry, scrape it; and if one cannot tell, sprinkle water on it”

Ibn al-Jawzi: This ruling is due to revulsion, not due to impurity

➎ The narration of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him):
“If the semen was wet, we would wash it; if it was dry, we would scrape it; then we would pray in that same garment”

Bayhaqi: This is done for the purpose of cleanliness, not because of impurity

➏ The original state is purity:
The original state of all things is purity. There is no explicit evidence declaring semen impure.
The contact of semen with the body or clothes is general and mostly involuntary, and it is difficult to avoid.

➐ The silence of the Prophet ﷺ:
If semen were impure, the Prophet ﷺ would certainly have made its removal obligatory.
Since no such statement or action has been reported, it is established that semen is pure.

➑ The natural characteristics of semen:
Semen is white and thick, and its smell is like that of a date-palm spathe.
Human creation comes from it, and it is formed from the components of food.
It is different from and superior to waste matter.

✿ The debate of Ibn Aqeel:
“I consider it pure because a human being is created from it, whereas the opponent calls it impure.”

Statements of the Imams and Muhaddithun

✿ Ibn Qudamah:
“Semen is pure. This is the view of Imam Ahmad, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them)”

If someone prays in a garment on which semen is present, there is no need to repeat the prayer.

✿ Hafiz Ibn Hajar:
“Imam al-Bukhari, under the chapter ‘Washing of Semen’, did not narrate any hadith, but was content with an indication”

Harmonisation:

If semen is pure, washing it for the sake of cleanliness is recommended, not obligatory.
If it is considered impure, then washing it while wet and scraping it when dry will be necessary.
This is the opinion of the Hanafis.

Preferred view: Semen is pure, and washing it is only for cleanliness.

What is madhi?

It is a thin fluid that comes out at the time of sexual arousal.

✿ Hadith of Ali (may Allah be pleased with him):
“He should wash his penis and perform wudu”

“He should wash his penis and testicles”

✿ Hadith of Abdullah ibn Sa’d al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him):
“This is madhi. When it comes out, wash the private parts and testicles, and perform wudu for the prayer”

Summary:
Madhi is impure.
Washing the penis and testicles is obligatory, even if madhi has not touched them.
If madhi falls on a garment, sprinkling water on it is sufficient; washing is not required.

The ruling on wadi is in every respect like that of urine.
Wudu is obligatory upon its emission.

ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب