❖ Source:
This fatwa is derived from the book “500 Questions & Answers for Women”, comprising verdicts of the scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
✿ Question:
What are the permissible limits of intimacy and playful interaction between a husband and his wife?
✿ Answer:
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ ﴿٥﴾ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ﴾
"And they who guard their private parts, except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed."
[Sūrat al-Mu’minūn: 5–6]
Indeed, in this verse, Allah ﷻ has clarified that a man is not to be blamed for intimacy with his wife, as she is lawfully his. Furthermore, the Prophet ﷺ also permitted intimate play with one's wife during her menstrual period, with the exception of intercourse:
«اصنعوا كل شيء إلا النكاح»
"Do everything [in intimacy] except intercourse."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, ḥadīth no. 302]
Hence, both husband and wife are allowed to enjoy each other in any manner they wish, except in certain specific conditions:
✔ Prohibited Acts During Intimacy:
① Intercourse during menstruation is haram.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى...﴾
"And they ask you about menstruation. Say: It is a harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation and do not approach them until they are pure..."
[Sūrat al-Baqarah: 222]
So, it is impermissible to have vaginal intercourse during a woman’s menstrual cycle. However, any other form of enjoyment (not involving the actual act of intercourse) is permitted, as confirmed in the above ḥadīth.
② Intercourse during the post-natal bleeding (nifās) is also prohibited.
③ Anal intercourse is strictly forbidden.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿نِسَاؤُكُمْ حَرْثٌ لَكُمْ فَأْتُوا حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّىٰ شِئْتُمْ﴾
"Your wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish."
[Sūrat al-Baqarah: 223]
The "place of cultivation" here refers exclusively to the front private part (farj) of the woman, as it is the only part capable of bearing children.
Thus, as long as these clear prohibitions are avoided, husband and wife are permitted to enjoy intimacy with one another freely, including foreplay, playfulness, and affection, according to mutual agreement and comfort.
[Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn رحمه الله]