Oral sex in Islamic law

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. [http://www.esextherapy.com/dissertations/islam%20dissertation.pdf Sexuality in Islam] ] 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.

Citations of oral sex in Islamic literature

Arabs knew about 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.

From the Sahih Al-Bukhari

At the time of the Hudaibiya Treaty, in a fit of rage Abu Bakr told Urwa bin Masud Thaqafi: [As cited by Muhammad al-Bukhari]

Oral Sex is not haraam according to a Pakistani sect, but disliked. [ [http://www.noorclinic.com/Book1/book1_home.htm Sex Education in Urdu for All] ] [ [http://www.noorclinic.com/Book1/Page205/health_177.htm Noor Clinic] ]

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

From the History of Al-Tabari

وكان عبد مناة بن كنانة تزوج هند بنت بكر بن وائل ...... أبو بكر امصص بظر اللات واللات طاغية ...

تاريخ الطبري - الطبري ج 2-

"Suck the clitoris/vagina of Laat". [ [http://www.yasoob.com/books/htm1/m024/28/no2810.html تاريخ الطبري] ]

Opinions from other Islamic sects

Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a Sunni, allows the practice of oral sex in a fatwā with certain conditions. [ [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503543892 Islam's Stance on Oral Sex] ] Shia Imam Abul-Qassim Khoei said that oral sex between husband and wife is not unlawful (not haraam). [ [http://www.al-khoei.org/kb/article.aspx?id=12431 Imam Al-Khoei Online Knowledge Base] ] 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, [ [http://www.hebakotb.net/ Heba Kotb] ] a Sunni female scholar [ [http://goodcleanlove.com/blog/?p=31 Sex therapy in Yemen] ] who gives sex advice on Egyptian TV, said that oral sex is allowed "since there is no religious text banning it". [ [http://www.religionnewsblog.com/16710/muslim-woman-gives-sex-advice-on-arab-tv Muslim Woman Gives Sex Advice on Arab TV] ]

ucking 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. [ [http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=8g7iPX Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Nadvi] ] The husband can caress the breasts and nipples and suck the wife’s breasts. [ [http://www.pinkislam.com/marital-relations/husband-sucking-wifes-breasts.html Husband sucking wifes breasts] ] [ [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503544374 Sucking Wife’s Breasts] ] no evidence for oral sex or article by hanfi imam 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. [http://www.abc.se/~m9783/fiqhi/fiqha_e92.html Questions On Sexuality] ]

Shiaa references say that Imam Musa al-Kadhim was once asked, "Can a person kiss his wife's vulva?" The Imam said, "No problem". [(Wasa'il, vol. 14, p. 77; for similar views of present mujtahids see al-'Urwah, p. 625). [http://www.geocities.com/shubayr/marriageahadith.htm Marriage Traditions in Islam] ]

On touching the penis

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

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 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 [ [http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/law/fiqhussunnah/fus1_02.html Volume 1, Page 36a: Touching the sexual organ without any "barrier" between the hand and the organ] ] 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. [ [http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/GESUND/ARCHIV/kotb2.htm Sexuality In Islam] ]

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 allowable. [ [http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=nrdTPK IOL Islamic Researchers] ]

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. [ [http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=V68078 Sheikh Muhammad Ali Al-Hanooti] ] 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 najasa 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.

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. [http://www.themodernreligion.com/misc/sex/sex-oral.html Is oral sex permitted?] ]

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. [http://www.fatwa.org.za/documents/sex/Oral%20Sex%20fatwa.htm Fatwa on Oral Sex] ]

When disliked

Scholars say that it is makruh to do it with the intention of ejaculating in wife’s mouth.

References and notes

ee also

*The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam
*Islamic view of anal sex

Further reading

* [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503549760 IslamOnline.net] Is oral sex Considered Zina?
* [http://www.zawaj.com/straight_talk.html ZAWAJ.COM: Straight Talk] Straight Talk About Sex in Islam
* [http://www.understanding-islam.com/related/text.asp?type=question&qid=825 understanding Islam] Regarding 'Oral Sex'
* [http://www.answering-christianity.com/oral_sex.htm answering-christianity] on Oral sex
* [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503549496 IslamOnline.net] Married Couple Watching Pornography
* [http://www.daruliftaa.com/question.asp?txt_QuestionID=q-17060650 The Issue of Oral Sex]