What is the ruling if one awakens from sleep and finds moisture without knowing if it is seminal fluid (manī) or something else?
Chapter on What Necessitates Ghusl
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Ahmad mandates ablution (ghusl) if moisture is found upon waking. However, if the person was cold (bi-ibrudah) or playing with their family, then it is hoped there is no issue, as the moisture might be pre-ejaculatory fluid (madhy). If the emission began earlier in the night due to remembrance or visualization, then ghusl is not obligatory. This is supported by the reasoning that the fluid is doubtful, potentially being madhy for which the cause was present, thus not requiring ghusl when in doubt. If neither of the above conditions were met, ghusl is obligatory based on the narration of Aisha, as the outward appearance suggests a nocturnal emission (ihtilam).
Supporting text
Al-Hasan holds that ghusl is not required because the substance is doubtful and might be madhy. Mujahid and Qatadah state that ghusl is not required until the outpouring (dafiq) is confirmed with certainty. Qatadah suggested smelling the fluid. This view is based on analogy, as certainty (purity) remains unless removed by doubt. However, the preferred ruling is to perform ghusl to align with the narration and remove doubt.