Q: After kissing, foreplay, or touching one’s wife, he finds some wetness discharged in his underpants from his member following erection. Does this affect the Taharah (ritual purification) and the validity of Sawm (fasting)?

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions. The inquirer did not define whether the fluid discharged as a result of foreplay was Maniy (spermatic fluid) or not. He only mentioned that he finds wetness in his underpants. It seems that he finds Madhy (pre-seminal fluid) not semen. Madhy is Najis (ritually impure) and necessitates washing the penis and testicles. Likewise, if the fluid affected his clothing, the defiled parts of it must be washed. Then, the Islamically prescribed Wudu’ (ablution) must be performed after washing the penis and testicles. As to the effect of this fluid on Sawm, according to the soundest scholarly opinions, it does not invalidate fasting nor require Ghusl (ritual bath).However, if the discharged fluid was Maniy, he must perform Ghusl. It also invalidates fasting. Although this fluid is originally pure, it is repulsive. It is prescribed to wash off the contaminated spots on clothes and underpants. The person observing Sawm must take precautions abandoning whatever arouses his sexual desire. (Part No. 5; Page No. 261) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.