Islamic views on oral sex

In Islam, oral sex between a husband and wife is considered "Makruh Tahrimi"^[1] or highly undesirable by some Islamic jurists when the act is defined as mouth and tongue coming in contact with the genitals.^[2][3] The reason behind considering this act as not recommended is manifold, the foremost being the issue of modesty, purification (Taharat) and cleanliness.^[4]

The most common argument states^[3] that the mouth and tongue are used for recitation of the Qur'an and for the remembrance of Allah (Dhikr).^[5] The status of genital secretions is debated among the four Sunni schools, some scholars viewing it as impure and others not.

Questions of foreplay and oral sex

There are differences of opinion in this topic. Many scholars believe that oral sex is permissible, but it is disliked. The group of scholars who view oral-genital contact as permissible is mostly because there is no clear command in Hadith and Qur'an prohibiting such act. Oral sex is definitely less sinful than intercourse before marriage, oral sex does not necessarily cause two people to become one as marriage does. Prominent Muslim scholars like Yusuf al-Qaradawi share this view.^[6] At the same time, there is no mentioning of such act as a part of foreplay in Hadith although Islam stresses on the importance of foreplay, as kissing, touching and the like are explicitly mentioned in Hadith.^[7] Sexual intercourse has to be avoided unless foreplay takes place according to Sunnah.^[8] Muhammad forbade acting like an animal with one's wife which indicates sexual intercourse without foreplay.^[7][9] The husband is also responsible for satisfying the wife's need (i.e. bringing her to an orgasm) as part of a healthy marriage and to ensure the right of the wife.^[9] During foreplay and intercourse, the husband is allowed to take pleasure from the wife's breast, in Hanafi school of thought it is permissible as long as no secretion (i.e. milk) is consumed during this act.^[10] However, the majority of the scholars, including from Hanbali, Shafi and Malaki school of thought have agreed that accidentally consuming wife milk will not affect the relationship between husband and wife.^[11][12]

On touching the private parts

It is permissible in Islam for the husband and wife to touch their private parts in order to arouse each other.^[8][13][14] A husband and wife are also allowed to take a shower together and look at their private parts which is established according to Sunnah.^[15][16]

On touching the penis

There are commentaries on touching the male genital by oneself in various narrations of Hadith. One example is the hadith of Basrah bint Safwaan, who heard Muhammad say: "Whoever touches his private parts, let him do wudoo (washing)’." (Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Tahaarah, 154. al-Albaani said in Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood, no. 166, it is saheeh).^[17] Hanafi jurists claim touching the penis in Islamic Law^[18] is not a shameful act. The Sahih Hadith of Al-Muwatta Imam Muhammad argues that "The act is not impure". He emphasizes that "If the penis were vile or impure, it should be cut off from the body and thrown away". The Hadith claims that there is no difference between the penis and the other parts of body. However, there are also Sahih Hadith which mentions the performing of ablution is compulsory after the touching of the sexual organ. 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?" Muhammad said: "What is it but a piece of your flesh?". " 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's account of Muhammad saying "Whoever touches his genitals, let him do wudoo’." It is also reported that 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)^[19]
2. "When anyone amongst you enters the privy he should not touch his penis with his right hand." (Sahih Muslim, 2.0512)^[20]

Relation to sexual gratification

Alternative views: Oral sex as foreplay

Oral sex (oral-genital contact) is considered as a part of foreplay by those who allow it, not as an alternative to vaginal intercourse.^[13] One group of Salafi scholars and Shafi`i school says that oral sex is halal (permissible) because of the hadith 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,^[21] a Sunni female scholar who gives sex advice on Egyptian TV, said that oral sex is allowed "since there is no religious text banning it".^[22] She considers oral sex as a part of foreplay on this ground that Islam "stresses the importance of foreplay".^[23]

Avoiding secretions

Schools of thought (Madh'hab) such as Shafi'i and Hanbali consider fellatio as permissible but only as part of foreplay while all schools regard genital secretion as impure. Oral sex is permitted provided that secretion from the genitalia is not consumed and no injury or infliction made.^[24] The consumption of semen on the other hand is believed to be permissible by some scholars.^[25][26] However, the stronger view is that it is not allowed.^[27] The couple has to rinse their mouth afterwards to maintain cleanliness.^[28]

Bathing (ghusl) after oral sex

According to alternative views, 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 according to Islamic sexual hygienical jurisprudence; however, if he only releases Madhy (pre-ejaculatory fluids) then Wudu is only required, and the wife has to wash the Madhy away.

See also

• Islamic sexual jurisprudence
• Islamic sexual hygienical jurisprudence
• Islamic views on anal sex

References and notes

Further reading

• Oral Sex Questions On Sexuality in Islam
• Human Sexuality and the Shariat by Professor Dr. Omar Hassan Kasule Sr.
• Sexual Relations Between Husband & Wife
• Basic bedroom fiqh
• Sex Is Good For You
• Turning Sex Into Sadaqa An excerpt from 'The Muslim Marriage Guide', By Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood (Amana Publications)
• Questions on married life
• Straight Talk About Sex in Islam
• The Issue of Oral Sex