Is ritual bathing (Ghusl) obligatory if seminal fluid is felt to have moved towards emission but is prevented from exiting the urethra?
Chapter on What Necessitates Ghusl
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Ghusl is not obligatory in the apparent view of Al-Khiraqi and one narration from Ahmad, which is the position of the majority of jurists. The primary evidence is that the Prophet, peace be upon him, conditioned the obligation of Ghusl upon seeing the semen or its ejaculation, as stated in the Hadith, "When he sees the water" and "When he ejaculates the water, then perform Ghusl." The ruling is not established without the actual exit of the fluid.
Supporting text
The established view from Ahmad mandates Ghusl, rejecting the notion that the fluid retreats. The basis for this view is that the state of major ritual impurity (*Janabah*) is established once the fluid has moved from its place, and since movement occurred, the impurity is present, necessitating Ghusl. Furthermore, the desire (*shahwah*) required for Ghusl was present at the point of movement.