Q 4: What is meant by Ihtilam (wet dream)? Do only married women experience it?

A: Both men and women may experience Ihtilam at any age. It is one of the signs of puberty. If a woman experiences Ihtilam by ejaculating Maniy (vaginal secretions), she should perform Ghusl (full ritual bath). It was authentically reported from `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about a man who sees a wet discharge but does not remember that he has experienced Ihtilam, he (peace be upon him) said that he should perform Ghusl. When he (peace be upon him) was asked about a man who remembers to have experienced Ihtilam but does not see a wet discharge, he (peace be upon him) said that he does not have to perform Ghusl. Um Sulaym said, 'O Messenger of Allah, does a woman have to perform Ghusl if she experiences the same?' He (peace be upon him) said, 'Yes, if she sees a wet discharge (i.e. Maniy), for women are the counterparts of men.' (Related by the Five Compilers of Hadith [Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'y and Ibn Majah] except Al-Nasa'y) It was also mentioned in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) on the authority of Um Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that Um Sulaym said, 'O Messenger of Allah, Allah is not shy of (telling you) the truth. Does a woman have to perform Ghusl if she experiences Ihtilam?' (Part No. 4; Page No. 155) He (peace be upon him) said, 'Yes, if she sees a wet discharge.' May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.