Islamic views on oral sex

Oral sex in Islam is controversial among Islamic theologians. Some allow the practice, and some disapprove.

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 & Fiqh^[1] is a reference book on the topic.

Opinions from Sunni Islam

Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a Sunni, allows the practice of oral sex in a fatwā with certain conditions.^{[2] [3]} 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.

In human sexual behavior, foreplay is a set of intimate psychological and physical acts between two or more people meant to create and increase sexual arousal, in anticipation of sexual intercourse.

Any act that creates and enhances sexual stimulation between the sex partners may constitute foreplay, including kissing, touching, embracing, talking, and teasing (teasing, in this case, may include methods of satisfaction, such as erotic sexual denial).[1] The manual or oral stimulation of erogenous zones may be considered foreplay, as well as being part of the sex act itself. Sexual role playing, fetish activities, and BDSM can also be considered foreplay, though they may also accompany intercourse and not just precede it.

Dr. Heba Kotb,^[4] a Sunni female scholar^[5] who gives sex advice on Egyptian TV, said that oral sex is allowed "since there is no religious text banning it".^[6]

Sucking the wife's breasts and vagina

There is no Islamic text that forbids the sucking of a wife's breasts.^[7][8][9]

The Malikis allow licking the vagina (furj) 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 vulva with the tongue.^[10]

On touching the penis

There is stronger evidence of the most commonly held-view: the hadeeth of Basrah bint Safwaan, who heard Muhammad say: “Whoever touches his penis, let him do wudoo’.” (narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Tahaarah, 154. al-Albaani said in Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood, no. 166, it is saheeh) ^[11]

Hanafi jurists who claim touching the penis in Islamic Law^[12] 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^[13] 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?"^{[citation needed]}

However, there is some disagreement about this report and as noted above, the strongest evidence for making ablution after touching one's penis comes from Basrah bint Safwaan.

It is reported that prophet Muhammad said:

1. "Whenever anyone of you makes water (urinates) he should not hold his penis or clean his private parts with his right hand." (Sahih Bukhari, 1.4.156)^[14]
2. "When anyone amongst you enters the privy he should not touch his penis with his right hand." (Sahih Muslim, 2.0512)^[15]

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.^[16]

Dr. Heba Kotb stresses that women should also enjoy sex. Oral sex is a form of foreplay and Islam "stresses the importance of foreplay".^[17] 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.^[18]

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 except anal sex.^[19]

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.^[20] 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.^[10]

Muslim scholars are of the opinion that if the oral stimulation leads to ejaculation, 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.^[18]

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 semen, 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.^[21]

See also

• Islamic views on anal sex
• The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam

References and notes

1. ^ Scribd.com
2. ^ [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503543892
3. ^ Imam Al-Khoei Online Knowledge Base
4. ^ Heba Kotb
5. ^ Sex therapy in Yemen
6. ^ Muslim Woman Gives Sex Advice on Arab TV
7. ^ Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Nadvi
8. ^ Husband sucking wifes breasts
9. ^ Sucking Wife’s Breasts
10. ^ ^{a b} Questions On Sexuality
11. ^ List of Wudu Nullifiers
12. ^ Touching The Penis in Islamic Law
13. ^ Volume 1, Page 36a: Touching the sexual organ without any "barrier" between the hand and the organ
14. ^ Translation of Sahih Bukhari Book 4: Ablutions (Wudu')
15. ^ Translation of Sahih Muslim Book 2: The Book of Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah
16. ^ Sexuality In Islam
17. ^ Sexual Revolution in Islam?
18. ^ ^{a b} Is oral sex permitted?
19. ^ IOL Islamic Researchers
20. ^ Sheikh Muhammad Ali Al-Hanooti
21. ^ Fatwa on Oral Sex

Further reading

• IslamOnline.net Is oral sex Considered Zina?
• ZAWAJ.COM: Straight Talk Straight Talk About Sex in Islam
• IslamOnline.net Married Couple Watching Pornography
• The Issue of Oral Sex
• Anal Oral Sex & Touching Penis in Islam Hadith & Fiqh