Phlegm (nukhama) and its purity

النُّخَامَة

Nukhama, in the lexicon, is what comes out of the chest or the nose, phlegm and matter, when one clears the throat. It is wider than mucus and wider than qalas as to where it comes out. Most jurists hold it pure if it comes down from the head, or comes from the chest or the far end of the throat; they differ on what rises from the stomach, which the Shafi'is and Abu Yusuf hold impure. The Malikis, the Hanbalis and the adopted Hanafi view hold it pure, citing the report that the Prophet ﷺ took phlegm with the edge of his garment in prayer. Swallowing it does not break the ablution. Most jurists forbid throwing phlegm into the mosque; it must be buried if there is no mat, and wiped from the wall. Its swallowing during fasting is disputed and is treated under fasting. ^{1 2 3}