Nocturnal Emissions

Before answering, it is important to know that the secretions of the male organ are classified into three categories:

1- Mani (Semen) – This is the thick, whitish fluid that normally spurts out of the male reproductive organ with force, during the climax of intercourse, known as ejaculation. After this takes place, a person normally feels sexual satisfaction and his sexual urge is reduced. The ruling for this fluid is that it will necessitate Ghusl when it leaves the body due to sexual arousal, even if this occurs during sleep in the form of a nocturnal emission (wet dream).

2- Mazi (Pre-Ejaculatory fluid, or emotional urethral discharge) – This is a thin, clear fluid that usually oozes from the male reproductive organ upon sexual arousal. It does not spurt out with force like Mani. The discharge of this fluid is not even noticed at times and it does not reduce one’s sexual urge, but rather enhances it.

3- Wadi (A type of urethral discharge) – This is a thick, whitish or yellowish fluid that may occasionally ooze out from the male reproductive organ, either before or after urination. This secretion has nothing to do with sexual arousal and like Mazi, it does not spurt out with force.

All three of these fluids are impure and need to be washed from the clothing before performing Salaah in them. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep a separate pair of clothes for sleeping, so that one may change into clean clothes upon waking up for Fajr Salaah. Mazi and Wadi break the Wudu but do not necessitate a Ghusl, like how Mani necessitates it.

If A Person Sees Wetness Upon Waking Up, What Should He Do?

1- If he is sure that it is Mani, then he will be required to take a Ghusl, whether he remembers having a wet dream (being engaged in sexual contact in the dream), or not.

2- If he is sure that it is Mazi and he remembers having a wet dream, then he will be required to take a Ghusl.

3- If he is sure that it is Mazi and he does not remember having a wet dream, then Ghusl is not incumbent upon him.

4- If he is in doubt whether it is Mazi or Wadi and he does not recall having any wet dream, then Ghusl is not compulsory. If he recalls a wet dream, then it is compulsory.

5- If he is in doubt whether it is Mazi or Mani, and he does not recall having any wet dream, then he will be required to take a Ghusl.

6- If he is sure it is Wadi, then he will not be required to take a Ghusl, whether he remembers a wet dream or not.

(We have sufficed on mentioning the scenarios that relate to the posed question)