Does the Fluid Exiting from Skene Glands and Bartholin Glands Invalidate Wudu?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
In women, there are two glands near the urethra: Skene’s glands and Bartholin’s glands. They expel some fluid during arousal for lubrication. Scientists also say that female ejaculate (maniy) comes from Skene’s glands.
I have only known that maniy and madhy come from the vagina, so I put tissue there to retain my wudu. Madhy does come from the vagina-it is sticky and transparent. And the fluid from Skene’s and Bartholin’s glands is like sweat and not sticky. Will this be treated like sweat? Does this break Wudu?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
Skenes Glands
Skene’s glands consist of two small ducts located along both sides of the urethra, in the front part of the vaginal wall, for urinary and sexual health.
For urinary health, these glands release fluids into the urethra, helping to lubricate it.
For sexual health, when stimulated, they secrete mucus-containing fluids, which help with lubrication during vaginal intercourse. Researchers also believe that fluid excretions from these glands may account for female ejaculation.
The ruling of Skenes Glands
Skene’s glands produce and ejaculate a fluid before or during orgasm that may protect your body from infections. Therefore, if one believes the discharge could be sexual fluid from an ejaculation/orgasm, then the discharge will be considered sexual fluid, and a ritual bath (ghusl) will be necessary.
Bartholins Glands
Bartholin Glands are located at 4 O’clock and 8 O’clock positions in the two inner folds of the vagina. Their primary function is the production of a mucoid secretion that aids in vaginal and vulvar lubrication.
The ruling of Bartholin’s Glands
Arousal fluid comes from the Bartholin’s gland in and around the vagina and arrives when you feel sexually aroused. Therefore, if one believes that the fluid is madhy (presexual fluid), then one will not have to do a ritual bath (ghusl). However, it will invalidate wudu. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
It is advised you look at the timing of the discharge and the texture and, with the above guidelines, determine which discharge it is.
Check these links:
Skene’s Glands: Purpose, Health Complications, and Treatment (healthline.com)
Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Bartholin Gland – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
Rules Regarding Ghusl and Wet Dreams for Men and Women (seekersguidance.org)
Is It Obligatory to Do Ghusl After Continual Exiting of Sexual Fluids? – SeekersGuidance
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SeekersAcademy (seekersguidance.org)
I pray this helps with your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied within UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan and Turkey.
He started his early education in UK. He went onto complete hifz of Qur’an in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in UK where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then travelled to Karachi, Pakistan.
He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’an, Tajwid, Fiqh and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in UK with his wife. His personal interest is love of books and gardening.
