Question:
What is the Islamic ruling on vaginal discharge that females commonly experience?
Many ladies are confused about this issue.
Answer:
Bismihi Ta’ala
Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh
In the footnotes of Imdaadul Fatawaa (vol. 1, p. 112) Mufti Sa‘eed Ahmad Palanpuri Sahib (daamat barkaatuhum) summarises his discussion and research on female discharge in the following words:
“The discharge that females generally experience, irrespective of what it may be, is impure and breaks the wudhu. Therefore, those women who normally experience a white discharge, it will be impure and break the wudhu once it reaches the farj-e-khaarij (outer labia or the lips of the vagina) . . . However, if the discharge is continuous then such a woman will be regarded as a ma’zoor.” He further writes: “This has been written after consulting Hakeem Ajmeri and Hakeem Abush Shifaa and after a lengthy period of contemplation.”
Further, after consulting a reputable gynaecologist, he explained that: A normal discharge does not give a smell, does not itch and does not stain clothing. It is usually clear and varies during the different phases of the menstrual cycle. Normal discharge comes from the vagina, that is from the “farj- e- dhaakil” and also from the cervix which is beyond. Discharge at the time of ovulation is mainly mucus from the cervix which is beyond. (Verbatim)
Thus, it will not be possible to determine when the discharge has been secreted by the farj-e-daakhil (inner labia or inner vagina) and when by the cervix. Hence, based on the verdicts of our senior scholars and the medical explanation of the source of the normal white discharge, the ruling would be that it will be impure and break wudhu.
Refer to:
1. Fatawaa Darul Uloom Deoband, vol. 1, p. 239
2. Imdaadul Fatawaa, vol. 1, p. 107 – 121
3. Fatawaa Mahmoodiyah, vol. 8, p. 145-146
4. Ahsanul Fatawaa, vol. 2, p. 80
5. Fatawaa Uthmaani, vol. 1, p. 333
6. Fatawaa Darul Uloom Zakariyya, vol. 1, p. 506
7. Khairul Fatawaa, vol. 2, p. 58
8. Shaami, vol. 1, p. 313
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
(Mufti) Ebrahim Salejee