Here’s a guide to sex positions allowed in Islam.
There are no specific rules and regulations either in foreplay or in intercourse. The only laws are the ones reached by the lovers by mutual and often unspoken understanding.
Whatever is pleasing and satisfying to both the husband and the wife is right and proper, and whatever is mutually displeasing is wrong.
The only limitation to this general rule would be any Shariah rule that goes against the wishes of the husband or the wife.
Islam emphasises foreplay
Islam emphasises foreplay. Imam ‘Ali (A.S.) says, “When you intend to have sex with your wife, do not rush because the woman (also) has needs (which should be fulfilled).”
Sex without foreplay has been equated to cruelty. The Prophet (S) said, “Three people are cruel: …a person who has sex with his wife before foreplay.”
Another hadith equates sex without foreplay to animal behaviour: “When any one of you has sex with his wife, then he should not go to her like birds; instead he should be slow and delaying.”
As for the role of a woman in sexual foreplay, the Imams (A.S.) have praised a wife who discards shyness when she is with her husband. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A.S.) says, “The best woman among you is the one who discards the armor of shyness when she undresses for her husband and puts on the armor of shyness when she dresses up again.”
After all, modesty and chastity in public are the hallmarks of a Muslim lady.
These sayings clearly show that the husband and the wife should feel completely free when they are engaged in mutual stimulation, which is known as ‘foreplay’.
There is nothing wrong, according to Islam, for a woman to be active and responsive during sex.
As for the Islamic Shariah, all the mujtahids are unanimous in saying that the act of sexual foreplay in itself is mustahab (recommended).
Likewise, it is recommended not to rush into sexual intercourse. The operative words are ‘mutual pleasure and satisfaction’.
Techniques of Foreplay
As far as the methods of mutual stimulation in foreplay are concerned, the Shariah allows the husband and the wife to see, kiss, touch, smell, and stimulate any part of each other’s body. Therefore, oral sex, as it is known, is allowed. Imam Musa al-Kazim (A.S.) was once asked, “Can a person kiss his wife’s vagina?” The Imam (A.S.) said, “No problem.”
The only restriction is that no foreign object should be used. The restriction on the use of foreign objects is based on the following hadith. ‘Ubaydullah bin Zurarah says that he had an old neighbour 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-Reza (A.S.) about it. When ‘Ubaydullah asked the Imam (A.S.) about it, the Imam (A.S.) said, “There is no problem as long as he uses any part of his own body upon her, but he should not use anything other than his body on her.”
Though masturbation (i.e., self-stimulation of one’s own sexual organ till emission of semen or orgasm) is not allowed, in the case of married persons, there is no problem if the wife stimulates her husband’s penis till the emission of semen or the husband stimulates his wife’s vagina till orgasm. This is allowed because it does not come under “self-stimulation”; it is stimulation by a lawful partner.
Sex positions in Islam
Is there any particular position for sexual intercourse which is forbidden in Islam? No! As far as the basic coital positions are concerned, there are no restrictions.
The term ‘basic coital positions’ denotes the positions known as the man above, face to face; the woman above, face to face; the side position, face to face; and the rear-entry position in which the husband penetrates the vagina from the rear.
Actually, the Shariah has left it up to the husband and the wife to explore and experiment as they wish.
However, it is makruh to adopt a standing position or to face the qiblah or keep it on the backside during the intercourse. It is advisable to refrain from the acrobatic positions given by some sexologists of the East and the West, which might even cause physical harm.
Remember, the basic rule is mutual pleasure and flexibility. If one partner does not like a particular position, then the other should yield to his or her feelings.
Recite Bismillaah
It is highly emphasized that at the commencement of intercourse the partners should recite Bismillaahir Rah’maanir Rah’eem (In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful).
Anal Intercourse
The opinions of mujtahids vary on the permissibility of anal intercourse. The overwhelming majority of the Shi’ah/Sunni mujtahids have maintained that anal intercourse is completely haraam.
Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi says, “I would strongly advise against anal intercourse,” and quotes the saying of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (A.S.) and Imam ‘Ali ar-Reza (A.S.) about anal intercourse: “Woman is a means of your pleasure; therefore, do not harm her.”
Hygiene
When husband and wife are done with the sexual intercourse, they should wipe their genitals with clean pieces of cloth. It is recommended that the same cloth/towel not be used by both of them.
5 pillars of islam
The Five Pillars of Islam are the core practices of the religion, forming the foundation of Muslim life. They are:
- Shahada
- Salah
- Zakat
- Sawm
- Hajj
