Does pre-seminal fluid (madhi) break the fast?

Detailed answer

According to many scholars, and the view most widely followed today, madhi does not break the fast. Your fast remains valid. Madhi does, however, break wudu and needs to be washed off.

What is madhi?

Madhi is a thin, clear fluid that can come out when a person feels desire, for example through thoughts, conversation or touch. It comes out without force and without the climax that comes with ejaculation, and often a person does not even notice it. It is different from semen (mani), which comes out with force at climax and requires ghusl.

What the Sunnah says

Ali ibn Abi Talib said that he often experienced madhi and asked, through a Companion, what to do. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Wash your private part and do wudu" (Bukhari, Muslim). He did not require ghusl. Since madhi is a common and often involuntary thing, the fast is not broken by it, just as the fast is not broken by other things that happen without full intention.

Some scholars hold that if madhi results from deliberate arousal, such as kissing or caressing, the day should be made up; if you are unsure, ask a trusted local scholar.

What to do when it happens

• Wash the private part.
• Wash the area of clothing that it touched.
• Do wudu before your next prayer. No ghusl is needed.
• Continue your fast as normal.

How is this different from ejaculation?

If semen comes out on purpose, for example through masturbation or intimate touching, the fast is broken and must be made up; see does masturbation break the fast? If it comes out in your sleep, the fast is not broken.

Tips

• Keep affection with your spouse light during the day; see can I kiss my spouse while fasting?
• Do not let doubts take over. If you are not sure whether anything came out, assume your fast and your wudu are fine.
• Avoid dwelling on desire during the day; see do lustful thoughts break the fast?