The sixth argument:

It passes through the urinary passage and thus becomes impure through contact with urine, like milk in an impure vessel. All these proofs therefore establish its impurity.

We reply—and it is for Allah to show the right way:

As for the hadith of ʿAmmār ibn Yāsir, it has no basis. Its chain of transmission includes Thābit ibn Hammād, whom al-Dāraqutnī described as “very weak.” Ibn ʿAdī said: “He transmits objectionable reports.” The hadith of ʿĀʾishah has already been discussed.

As for the second argument, they say that it necessitates purification from both physical and ritual impurity. We do not concede that it necessitates purification from physical impurity. Rather, washing the private parts after its discharge is recommended, just as removing it from clothing and the body is recommended. Some have held that this washing is obligatory, just as some have held that washing the testicles after the discharge of pre-ejaculatory fluid is obligatory, and just as washing the limbs of ablution becomes obligatory when something leaves the private parts. These are all instances of purification required because of a discharge, even though their purpose need not be to remove it or to deem it impure. Rather, they are required for another reason, just as the rest of the body is washed because of it. In short, the reason for washing the private parts after its discharge is not impurity, but something else.

Thus, their statement that it “necessitates purification from physical impurity” asserts a characteristic that is not conceded in the case being compared. Washing it from the private parts is not done because of physical impurity, nor are acts of purification confined to removing such impurity. Examples include washing the hands upon rising from a night’s sleep, washing the deceased, recommended ritual baths, washing the testicles, and other such acts.

Accordingly, if this purification is held to be obligatory, it belongs to the third category. The analogy between semen and urine therefore fails, because the alleged common characteristic is invalid.