one might say: there is a difference, because the husband’s awareness that his wife has undergone an operation in that area will prevent him from attaining full enjoyment. Accordingly, we say that it is a defect, even if it can be remedied.

“Urinary and fecal incontinence, and oozing sores in the genital area, …”

His statement, “Urinary and fecal incontinence”: Urine is well known, and najw means feces. Their incontinence means that one is unable to retain them—that is, incontinence. Thus, urinary or fecal incontinence is a defect, and among the most severe of defects. Does flatulence carry the same ruling? The answer is yes, because it produces an offensive odor. This defect is common to both men and women. The author, may Allah have mercy on him, has combined conditions exclusive to one sex with those common to both. A better arrangement would have been to place the exclusive conditions separately and the shared conditions separately.

His statement, “and oozing sores in the genital area”: This is exclusive to women. If she has oozing sores that discharge fluid into the genital area, it is a defect, because it causes aversion and prevents complete sexual enjoyment.

It is understood from his statement, “oozing,” that if the sores are dry and do not discharge, they are not a defect. This is open to question, however, because sores in the genital area undoubtedly cause aversion and anxiety. Even if it is assumed that, due to his strong love for his wife and desire for intercourse, he does not mind, he may nevertheless find her repugnant—not because of any lack of personal attraction, but out of fear of contagion.

It says in al-Rawḍ (1): “And prolonged bleeding,” which is the continuous flow of blood from a woman. It is natural blood, but it is an illness, unlike blood