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Islamic views on oral sex

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The issue of oral sex in Islam is controversial among Islamic scholars. Some allow the practice and some disapprove. However, the generally known Islamic rule is that whatever is not haraam (forbidden) in the Qur'an, nor by a prophetic statement or behavior, is to be allowed; as principally everything is allowed; the exception is what was prohibited by Allah or by his messenger. Based on this principle, oral sex is an allowed act.[1] Furthermore, oral sex is licit, as long as it is practiced between husband and wife, same as for every other sexual practice. The basic ruling is licitness from head to toe with the exception of anal sex and sexual intercourse during menstruation.

Knowledge of oral sex

The concept of oral sex is as old as the Hudaibiya Treaty in Islamic tradition, as cited below by Sahih al-Bukhari. This shows that the Arabs at the time of Muhammad were familiar with the idea. Anal Oral Sex & Touching Penis in Islam Hadith & Fiqhis a reference book on the topic.

From the Sahih Al-Bukhari

File:Oral Sex in Sahih Al-Bukhari.JPG
Oral Sex in Sahih Al-Bukhari[2] by Sahih Hadith of Sahih Al-Bukhari by Imam Al-Bukhari & Urdu translation of the Hadith.

At the time of the Hudaibiya Treaty, in a fit of rage Abu Bakr told Urwa bin Masud Thaqafi:[3]

"Oral sex the clitoris/vagina ( ‏بظر : English translation clitoris.[4], [5]) of Laat".[2]

Shaving of the pubic hair is often favored as well in Islamic tradition.[1]

Opinions from other Islamic sects

Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a Sunni, allows the practice of oral sex in a fatwā with certain conditions.[6] Shia Imam Abul-Qassim Khoei said that oral sex between husband and wife is not unlawful (not haraam).[7] One group of Salafi scholars and Shafi`i school says that oral sex is completely halal (permissible) because of the hadith of the prophet(s) in which he encouraged foreplay between spouses, and that these are naturally gratifying activities that will help them have a better marriage.

Dr. Heba Kotb,[8] a Sunni female scholar[9] who gives sex advice on Egyptian TV, said that oral sex is allowed "since there is no religious text banning it".[10]

Sucking the wife's breasts and vagina

There is no Islamic text that forbids the sucking of a wife's breasts. Therefore, it is up to the husband and wife to decide to do it or not.[11] The husband can caress the breasts and nipples and suck the wife’s breasts.[12][13]

The Malikis allow licking the vagina (farj) stating that there is no harm in it and it is not a hated act (makruh). Malik ibn Anas said that there is no harm in licking the pudendum with the tongue.[14]

Shiaa references say that Imam Musa al-Kadhim was once asked, "Can a person kiss his wife's vulva?" The Imam said, "No problem".[15]

On touching the penis

If one can touch, one can kiss if it is clean.

Touching the penis in Islamic Law by Sahih Hadith of Al-Muwatta Imam Muhammad & Urdu translation of the Hadith.[16]

In Islam, some have argued that the sex organs should not be considered impure, dirty or otherwise bad, but these are just like others parts of body. Touching the sexual organ does not nullify the ablution: "A man asked Muhammad (PBUH) if a man who touches his penis has to perform ablution. The prophet replied: "No, it is just a part of you."

Hanafi jurists who claim touching the penis in Islamic Law[16] is not a shameful act. The Sahih Hadith of Al-Muwatta Imam Muhammad (see image) argues that the "act is not impure". And emphasized that "if the penis were vile or impure, it should be cut off from the body and thrown away". The Hadith claimed that there is no difference between the penis and the other parts of body. Scholars such as Muhammad al-Shaybani cited several opinions from Abu Hanifa an-Nu‘man:

Abu Hanifah related to me, on the authority of Hamad b. Ibrahim, on the authority of Ali ibn Abu Talib, that concerning touching the penis he said: "There is no harm. I touch it or the end of my nose."

Abu Hanifah related to me, on the authority of Hamad b. Ibrahim, that Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud asked about wudu for touching the penis. He said: "It is impure [najas], so cut it off!" meaning that there is no harm in it.

Abu Hanifah related to me, on the authority of Hamad b. Ibrahim, that Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas passed by a man who was washing his penis. He said: "What are you doing? This is not required of you."

However, there are also Sahih Hadith[17] which mention the performing of ablution is compulsory after the touching of the sexual organ.

But, Abu Hanifah reiterated that that washing the penis is important after urinating.

The first and second of these reports are related to the oft-cited report, given on the authority of Talq b. ؛Ali [b. al-Mundhir b. Qays], concerning the saying of Muhammad about the penis. Talq b. ؛Ali said: We were with the Apostle of God when a man, like a Bedouin, came to him and said: "Oh Apostle of God, what do you think about a man touching his penis after performing wudu?" He [Prophet Muhammad] said: "What is it but a piece of your flesh?"

Oral sex as foreplay

Oral sex should not lead to any repulsive feeling, and it is advisable to guarantee that the spouse is approving the act in order to fulfill the maximum joy out of the act.[18]

Dr. Heba Kotb stresses that women should also enjoy sex. Oral sex is a form of foreplay and Islam "stresses the importance of foreplay".[19] Hanbali books mention that it is lawful for a husband to achieve ejaculation by his wife masturbating him, and by rubbing his penis between her thighs or breasts.[20]

Foreplay techniques

Ubaydullah bin Zurarah said that he had an old neighbor who owned a young slave-girl. Because of his old age, he could not fully satisfy the young slave-girl during sexual intercourse. She would therefore ask him to place his fingers in her vagina as she liked it. The old man complied with her wishes even though he did not like this idea. So he requested 'Ubaydullah to ask Imam ' Ali ar-Riza about it. When 'Ubaydullah asked the Imam about it, the Imam said, "There is no problem as long as he uses any part of his own body upon her, but he should not use any thing other than his body on her." (Wasa'il, vol. 14, p. 77).[21]

Muhammad said, "No one among you should have sex with his wife like animals; rather there should be a messenger between them." When asked about the messenger, he said, "It means kissing and talking." (Tahzibu'l-Ihya, vol. 3, p. 110).[21]

The prophet also stated: "Every game a person plays is futile except for archery, training one’s horse and playing with one's wife (foreplay and kissing)". (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad, Sunan ibn Maja).[22]

Relation to sexual gratification

In the light of the Qur'an verse, Al-Mu'minun, five to seven scholars said that the husband is allowed to enjoy his wife through any means of enjoyment except for anal sex. Dr. Ali Jum`ah, professor of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence at Al-Azhar University, said that licking, sucking and kissing a spouse's sexual organs are all allowed, as long as it gives a person sexual gratification. This concept will keep him away from unlawfulness (haraam). It is allowed for a husband to lick his wife's vaginal area when it helps her have orgasm. Also, the wife can lick her husband's penis to cause erection and suck on it for an orgasm or ejaculation of semen. All sexual acts that aim at satisfying and pleasing the spouses are allowed.[23]

Concept of pure and impure secretions

Genital secretions

Secretions from the vagina are pure. There is no hadith or verse that mentioned anything of vaginal discharge.[24] Similarly, many scholars view that semen is pure (taahir).

The Shafi`i Madh'hab said that the sperm of the male is pure, but pre-ejaculate, or "Madhy liquid", is najasa. The partners in fact might be licking the Madhy liquid which is najas before the ejaculation is completed. Hence it could be understood if this is the case then oral sex is makruh but certainly not haraam because there is no evidence to say so.[14]

Muslim scholars are of the opinion that if sucking leads to releasing semen, then it is blameworthy (makruh), but there is no decisive evidence to forbid it. These parts are not dirty like the anus (dubur in Arabic). But there is no decisive evidence to make it unlawful, especially if the wife agrees with it or achieves orgasm by practicing it.

Avoiding secretions

If oral sex can be done in such a way that no filth is involved, then it would be considered lawful for a wife to kiss her husband's penis as long as she avoids any areas where there is pre-ejaculatory fluid, a loving couple could always use a condom, and a husband can kiss the outer parts of his wife's genitals and suck her clitoris (mentioned in many books of Hanbali fiqh) for her pleasure and satisfaction to an orgasm and it must be sure to rinse out mouths afterwards.[20]

By using the Arab strap, condom or by holding base shaft in hand tightly, the discharge of impure secretions and contact with semen during oral sex may be avoided.

Bathing (ghusl) after oral sex

Oral sex is only permitted as a way of stimulation and foreplay. If a husband does have oral sex with his wife, and ejaculates sperm, then ghusl is obligatory; however, if he only releases Madhy then Wudu is only required, and the wife has to wash the Madhy away. If during the course of oral stimulation, ejaculation takes place, one must wash it away if it gets in one’s clothing or mouth.[25]

When disliked

Scholars say that it is makruh (not haram although frowned upon) to do it with the intention of ejaculating in the wife’s mouth.[25]

See also

References and notes

  1. ^ a b Sexuality in Islam
  2. ^ a b Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al Sharut [Conditions, Book: al-Sharut fil Jihad [Conditions for Jihad], Hadith 2770]
  3. ^ As cited by Muhammad al-Bukhari
  4. ^ Websters Dictionary Online
  5. ^ Arabic Wikipedia
  6. ^ Islam's Stance on Oral Sex
  7. ^ Imam Al-Khoei Online Knowledge Base
  8. ^ Heba Kotb
  9. ^ Sex therapy in Yemen
  10. ^ Muslim Woman Gives Sex Advice on Arab TV
  11. ^ Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Nadvi
  12. ^ Husband sucking wifes breasts
  13. ^ Sucking Wife’s Breasts
  14. ^ a b Questions On Sexuality
  15. ^ (Wasa'il, vol. 14, p. 77; for similar views of present mujtahids see al-'Urwah, p. 625). Marriage Traditions in Islam
  16. ^ a b Touching The Penis in Islamic Law
  17. ^ Volume 1, Page 36a: Touching the sexual organ without any "barrier" between the hand and the organ
  18. ^ Sexuality In Islam
  19. ^ Sexual Revolution in Islam?
  20. ^ a b Is oral sex permitted?
  21. ^ a b The Islamic Sexual Morality (2) Its Structure
  22. ^ The Islamic way of making love to your wife!
  23. ^ IOL Islamic Researchers
  24. ^ Sheikh Muhammad Ali Al-Hanooti
  25. ^ a b Fatwa on Oral Sex

Further reading

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