I just want to know about the sunnah of doing sex in details.  Can my wife and I be totally naked while performing intercourse? Can we enjoy the sex more than one time in a night?

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,  

 Answer

Sexual relations between the spouses amongst other aspects is one of the essentials of a happy marriage. Therefore, spouses may fulfil their needs and desires in any way as long as it does not violate any commandments of Shariah.

However it should be kept in mind that Islam is a religion of modesty. The Prophet (sallal lahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Modesty is part of faith …” (Tirmidhi: 1313)

Aisha (radi allahu anha) said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah’s (sallal lahu alayhi wa sallam) private parts.” (Sunan Ibn Majah: 662)

In another hadith narrated by Mu’awiyah ibn Haydah in which he states: I said: Apostle of Allah, from whom should we conceal our private parts and to whom can we show? He replied: conceal your private parts except from your wife and from whom your right hands possess (slave-girls)… I then asked: Apostle of Allah if one of us is alone, (what should he do)? He replied: Allah is more entitled than people that bashfulness should be shown to him. (Abu Dawood: 1847)

From the above it is clear that although it is permissible for the spouses to look at any part of the partner’s body, it is disliked that they become completely naked. A sheet over the naked bodies would be sufficient during sexual intercourse.

In regards to enjoying sex more than once, there are no restrictions for this. A couple may enjoy it as many times as they wish, however excessive sexual intercourse should be avoided. In between sexual intercourse it is recommended that ablution is performed.

It is narrated by Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (radi allahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallal lahu alayhi wa sallam) said: When anyone amongst you has sexual intercourse with his wife and then he intends to repeat it, he should perform ablution. (Sahih Muslim: 141)

Furthermore in regards to going sleep after sexual intercourse it is narrated by Abdullah ibn Abdul Qays that, “I asked Aisha (radi allahu anha) about the Witr (prayer) of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and made mention of a hadith, then I said: What did he do after having sexual intercourse? Did he take a bath before going to sleep or did he sleep before taking a bath? She said: He did all these. Sometimes he took a bath and then slept, and sometimes he performed ablution only and went to sleep. I (the narrator) said: Praise be to Allah Who has made things easy (for human beings). (Sahih Muslim: 140)

And Allah knows best

Sayeedur Rahman

Darul Ifta Birmingham