My question is during intercourse can a wife be naked in order to arouse the husband. That would be in a room where nobody can see them?   JazakAllah

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 fulfill their needs and desires in any way as long as it does not violate any commandments of Shariah.

Abu Dharr narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “… and in man’s sexual intercourse (with his wife) there is a Sadaqah. They (the companions) said: Messenger of Allah, is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us? He said: Tell me, if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he should have a reward.” (Sahih Muslim: 497)

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

Aisha (radi allahu anha) said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah’s (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) 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 and be completely naked, it is disliked and a sheet should be used to cover the bodies during sexual intercourse.

And Allah knows best.

Sayeedur Rahman

Darul Ifta Birmingham