Should I Make Up My Prayers Because I Didn’t Take Bath after Madhy Exited from Me?
Shafi'i Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Since puberty, I experienced the emission of madhy but didn’t know that I was supposed to perform a purificatory bath after that. Eventually, I learned that I should have. Should I make up every prayer and fast of those months?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah guide every dimension of our lives to that which pleases Him.
The purificatory bath is not required for the emission of madhy. One needs only to wash the affected parts of one’s person and clothing. The emission of madhy does break one’s ablution, though, so if ablution wasn’t valid, only the prayers made without a valid ablution should be made up, and Allah knows best.
What Necessitates a Ghusl for Males?
The purification bath (ghusl) is only obligatory for a male when:
- sperm exists from him;
- or the head of his penis enters a vagina.
[Nawawi, Minhaj al-Talibin]
What is the Difference Between Sperm and Madhy?
Male sperm and female sexual fluid are recognised by the fact that they:
- Come in spurts (by contractions);
- With sexual gratification.
- And, when moist, smell like bread dough, and when dry, like egg white.
When a substance from the genital orifice has any one of the above characteristics, it is sperm or sexual fluid and makes the purificatory bath obligatory.
When none of the above characteristics is present, it is not sperm or sexual fluid. Being white or thick is not necessary to be considered male sexual fluid.
The Purificatory Bath Is Not Obligatory:
- When there is a non-lustful discharge of thin, sticky, white fluid (madhy) caused by amorous play or kissing.
- Or when there is a discharge of the thick, cloudy white fluid (wady) that exits after urinating (or carrying something heavy).
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
