Thursday 18 Ramadan 1445 - 28 March 2024
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Does Madhiy Break Fast?

Question

Because of my work in a shopping centre, during the day in Ramadan I meet girls and speak to them without desire, but I feel something coming out of my private part, and I do not know whether it is maniy (semen) or madhiy (prostatic fluid). Is my fast invalidated?

Summary of answer

Emission of madhiy does not break the fast according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions whether that is because of kissing one's wife, watching movies, or other things that provoke desire.

Praise be to Allah.

Difference between maniy and madhiy

This questioner is uncertain as to whether it is maniy (semen) or madhiy (prostatic fluid). 

“The difference between maniy and madhiy is that the maniy that comes from a man is thick and white, and that which comes from a woman [fluid emitted at the moment of climax] is thin and yellow. Madhiy is thin and white and sticky and comes out during foreplay, or when thinking about intercourse, or wanting it, or when looking, etc. It is experienced by both men and women.” (Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daimah, 5/418) 

It seems most likely that what is coming out of you is madhiy and not maniy, because maniy comes out gushing and a man can feel it. 

Causing the emission of maniy is one of the things that invalidates the fast , if that happens as a result of intercourse or touching, or repeatedly looking at women, then the fast is invalidated.

Does madhiy break fast?

With regard to madhiy, the scholars differed as to whether it invalidates the fast if a person causes it to be emitted. 

The view of the Hanbalis is that madhiy does invalidate the fast if it is caused by direct physical contact, such as touching, kissing, etc. But if the cause is repeatedly looking, then it does not invalidate the fast. 

Abu Hanifah and al-Shafi`i are of the view that emission of madhiy does not invalidate the fast in any case, whether it is caused by direct physical contact or otherwise, and that what invalidates the fast is emission of maniy, not madhiy. (See al-Mughni, 4/363) 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin said in al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (6/236), after quoting the view of the Hanbalis on this issue: 

“There is no sound evidence to support that, because madhiy is of a lesser status than maniy with regard to desire, and does not cause a person to be tired after emitting it, so it cannot be likened to it.  

The correct view is that if a person has direct physical contact and emits madhiy, or masturbates and emits madhiy, this does not invalidate the fast, and his fast is still valid.  This is the view favoured by Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him). The proof for this is the fact that there is no proof to support the view that emission of madhiy invalidates the fast, because this fast is an act of worship that the person started as prescribed in Shari`ah and it cannot be regarded as having been invalidated unless there is evidence to that effect.” 

What is meant by “[he] masturbates and emits madhiy” is that he tried to ejaculate by means of masturbation but he did not, rather what came out was madhiy. 

Shaykh Ibn Baz (15/267) was asked: if a man kisses [his wife] when he is fasting, or watches some indecent movies and some madhiy comes out of him, should he make up that fast? 

He replied: 

“Emission of madhiy does not invalidate the fast according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions, whether that is because of kissing one's wife, watching movies, or other things that provoke desire. But it is not permissible for a Muslim to watch these indecent movies or to listen to music and songs that Allah has forbidden. If maniy (semen) is emitted as the result of desire, then this invalidates the fast whether that happened as the result of touching, kissing, repeatedly looking or any other thing that provokes desire, such as masturbation etc. But wet dreams and thinking do not invalidate the fast, even if maniy is emitted as a result. “

The Standing Committee (10/273) was asked: One day in Ramadan I was sitting beside my wife for about half an hour and we were fasting. We were joking and after I moved away from her I noticed a wet spot on my pants that had come from my private part. And that happened a second time. I hope you can advise me whether I have to offer any expiation. 

They replied: 

“If the situation is as you described, then you do not have to make up that day or offer any expiation, on the assumption that your fast remained valid, unless it is proven that that wetness is maniy (semen), in which case you have to do ghusl and make up that day, but you do not have to offer expiation.” 

The point is that you do not have to do anything and your fast is valid, unless you are certain that what came out of you is maniy. If it is maniy, then you have to make up for that day but you do not have to offer any expiation. 

Avoid speaking to women unnecessarily

You should avoid speaking to women unnecessarily, and if you need to speak to them then you should lower your gaze, in obedience to the words of Allah (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do.” [al-Nur 24:30]

Muslim (2159) narrated that Jarir ibn ‘Abd-Allah said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about an accidental glance and he told me to look away. 

Al-Nawawi said: 

“What is meant by an accidental or sudden glance is when one’s gaze falls upon a non-mahram woman unintentionally. There is no sin on a person in the beginning, but he has to look away immediately. If he looks away immediately then there is no sin on him, but if he continues to look, then he commits a sin, because of this hadith. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) enjoined looking away, as well as the verse, “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze”.” 

If it is possible for a woman to take care of selling to women and speaking to them, that is better and safer. 

And Allah knows best.

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Source: Islam Q&A