What is the nature of the non-viscous white substance that exits after brief masturbation, and is it maniyy or madhiy, and what is the ruling on performing ghusl after its emission?

Masturbation is forbidden, based on the words of Allah the Almighty: (And those who guard their private parts. Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors). It is not permissible to do it with the intention of not ejaculating. The discharge might be madhiy (pre-seminal fluid) if it exits without gushing and is not followed by a weakening [of the body]. If it is unclear whether it is maniy (semen) or madhiy, the Maliki school obliges ghusl (ritual bath). The Hanbali school obliges treating it with the rulings for both madhiy and maniy, which is more cautious. The Shafi'i school offers a choice between considering it maniy or madhiy.