❖ 8 Shari’ah Rulings on Maniy, Madhī, and Wadiy Based on Authentic Evidences ❖
Source: Fatāwā ad-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 316
Are maniy (semen), madhī (pre-ejaculate), and wadiy (thick post-urinal fluid) all considered the same in terms of impurity?
There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding the purity of maniy.
The sound and correct view is that maniy is pure, though for cleanliness, it is recommended to wash or scrape it off.
It is similar to nasal mucus or saliva, not to impure substances.
✔ Hadith of ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها):
“I used to scrape semen off the garment of the Prophet ﷺ, and he would pray in it.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1/14)
➤ Had maniy been impure, mere scraping wouldn’t suffice.
✔ Narration in Musnad Aḥmad:
“The Prophet ﷺ would remove semen with a grass blade and pray in that same garment.”
(Aḥmad 6/243, Bayhaqī 2/418, Irwā’ al-Ghalīl 1/197)
➤ This shows concern for cleanliness, not removal of impurity.
✔ Report from Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنه):
“Maniy is like mucus, saliva, and nasal discharge. It should be scraped off.”
(Dāraqutnī 1/124, Bayhaqī 2/418)
➤ Declared authentic in taʿlīq al-mughni and al-Majmaʿ (1/279)
✔ Effect of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه):
“If maniy is wet, wash it. If dry, scrape it. If unsure, sprinkle water.”
(Ibn Abī Shaybah 1/75)
Ibn al-Jawzī: This action is based on cleanliness, not impurity. (Naṣb al-Rāyah 1/210)
✔ Narration from Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ (رضي الله عنه):
“If wet, he washed; if dry, he scraped; then prayed in it.”
(Bayhaqī 2/218, Ibn Abī Shaybah 1/87)
Bayhaqī: This was for personal hygiene, not due to impurity.
✔ Foundational Principle of Ṭahārah:
All things are presumed pure unless proven otherwise.
No clear textual evidence declares maniy impure.
(Ibn Taymiyyah, Fatāwā 21/591)
✔ The Prophet’s ﷺ Silence on Obligation to Remove It:
If maniy were impure, the Prophet ﷺ would have made its removal obligatory.
His silence indicates purity.
(Ibn Ḥazm, al-Muḥallā 1/124)
✔ Natural Characteristics of Maniy:
White, thick, with a distinct smell.
Humans are created from it, and it derives from nutrients, not waste.
➤ Thus, it is not like urine or feces.
✔ Ibn Qudāmah:
“Maniy is pure. This is the view of Imām Aḥmad, Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ, Ibn ʿUmar, and Ibn ʿAbbās.”
(al-Mughnī 1/771)
✔ Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar:
“Imām al-Bukhārī did not quote a ḥadīth under the chapter of washing maniy, only hinted at it.”
(Fatḥ al-Bārī 1/265)
A thin fluid that exits during arousal without ejaculation.
✔ ʿAlī (رضي الله عنه) narrates:
“He ﷺ said: Wash your private part and perform wudu.”
(Bukhārī 1/41, Muslim 1/143, Abū Dāwūd 208, Mishkāh 1/40)
“Wash the penis and the testicles.”
(Abū Dāwūd 208 – Authentic Chain)
✔ ʿAbdullāh ibn Saʿd al-Anṣārī (رضي الله عنه):
“This is madhī. When it exits, wash the genitals and perform wudu.”
(Abū Dāwūd 211 – Authentic Chain)
A thick white discharge that may exit after urination or due to physical exertion.
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā ad-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 316❀ Question:
Are maniy (semen), madhī (pre-ejaculate), and wadiy (thick post-urinal fluid) all considered the same in terms of impurity?
➊ Ruling on Maniy (Semen)
➤ Scholarly Disagreement:
There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding the purity of maniy.
The sound and correct view is that maniy is pure, though for cleanliness, it is recommended to wash or scrape it off.
It is similar to nasal mucus or saliva, not to impure substances.
➤ Evidences:
✔ Hadith of ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها):
“I used to scrape semen off the garment of the Prophet ﷺ, and he would pray in it.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1/14)
➤ Had maniy been impure, mere scraping wouldn’t suffice.
✔ Narration in Musnad Aḥmad:
“The Prophet ﷺ would remove semen with a grass blade and pray in that same garment.”
(Aḥmad 6/243, Bayhaqī 2/418, Irwā’ al-Ghalīl 1/197)
➤ This shows concern for cleanliness, not removal of impurity.
✔ Report from Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنه):
“Maniy is like mucus, saliva, and nasal discharge. It should be scraped off.”
(Dāraqutnī 1/124, Bayhaqī 2/418)
➤ Declared authentic in taʿlīq al-mughni and al-Majmaʿ (1/279)
✔ Effect of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه):
“If maniy is wet, wash it. If dry, scrape it. If unsure, sprinkle water.”
(Ibn Abī Shaybah 1/75)
Ibn al-Jawzī: This action is based on cleanliness, not impurity. (Naṣb al-Rāyah 1/210)
✔ Narration from Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ (رضي الله عنه):
“If wet, he washed; if dry, he scraped; then prayed in it.”
(Bayhaqī 2/218, Ibn Abī Shaybah 1/87)
Bayhaqī: This was for personal hygiene, not due to impurity.
✔ Foundational Principle of Ṭahārah:
All things are presumed pure unless proven otherwise.
No clear textual evidence declares maniy impure.
(Ibn Taymiyyah, Fatāwā 21/591)
✔ The Prophet’s ﷺ Silence on Obligation to Remove It:
If maniy were impure, the Prophet ﷺ would have made its removal obligatory.
His silence indicates purity.
(Ibn Ḥazm, al-Muḥallā 1/124)
✔ Natural Characteristics of Maniy:
White, thick, with a distinct smell.
Humans are created from it, and it derives from nutrients, not waste.
➤ Thus, it is not like urine or feces.
✿ Scholarly Opinions:
✔ Ibn Qudāmah:
“Maniy is pure. This is the view of Imām Aḥmad, Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ, Ibn ʿUmar, and Ibn ʿAbbās.”
(al-Mughnī 1/771)
✔ Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar:
“Imām al-Bukhārī did not quote a ḥadīth under the chapter of washing maniy, only hinted at it.”
(Fatḥ al-Bārī 1/265)
➤ Summary on Maniy:
- Pure, not najis
- Washing is recommended, not obligatory
- If wet: may wash; if dry: may scrape
➋ Ruling on Madhī (Pre-ejaculate)
What is Madhī?
A thin fluid that exits during arousal without ejaculation.
Authentic Ahadith:
✔ ʿAlī (رضي الله عنه) narrates:
“He ﷺ said: Wash your private part and perform wudu.”
(Bukhārī 1/41, Muslim 1/143, Abū Dāwūd 208, Mishkāh 1/40)
“Wash the penis and the testicles.”
(Abū Dāwūd 208 – Authentic Chain)
✔ ʿAbdullāh ibn Saʿd al-Anṣārī (رضي الله عنه):
“This is madhī. When it exits, wash the genitals and perform wudu.”
(Abū Dāwūd 211 – Authentic Chain)
Summary on Madhī:
- Impure (najis)
- Washing the private parts (including testicles) is obligatory
- Wudu is required
- On clothing: sprinkling is sufficient, full washing not necessary
➌ Ruling on Wadiy (Post-urinal Discharge)
What is Wadiy?
A thick white discharge that may exit after urination or due to physical exertion.
Sharʿi Ruling:
- Treated exactly like urine
- Impure (najis)
- Wudu is obligatory after it
(Fatāwā Ibn ʿUthaymīn 4/222)
Summary Table: Differences Between Maniy, Madhī, and Wadiy
| Substance | Purity | Required Action | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maniy | Pure | Wash/scrape for cleanliness | No wudu needed |
| Madhī | Impure | Wash private parts, perform wudu | Sprinkle water on clothing |
| Wadiy | Impure | Perform wudu | Treated like urine |
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
