Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
What is the ruling if a husband and wife engaged in unnatural intercourse (anal intercourse) unknowingly for two months?
If this act was done out of ignorance, then there is no sin. However, once knowledge is attained, such unnatural intercourse becomes impermissible. This act does not invalidate the marriage.
One must fulfill marital relations in the manner prescribed by Allah, through the path He has allowed.
﴿فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ﴾
Surah al-Baqarah: 222
“When they (women) have purified themselves, then approach them from where Allah has commanded you.”
Imām Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله (d. 751H) elaborates:
This verse indicates that:
① Intercourse is only permitted in the front (vaginal) area, which is referred to as the “tilth” (ḥarth).
② The anal passage is not a place of purity or reproduction, but a place of filth and waste.
③ Engaging in intercourse through the anus has numerous harms, including:
– Prevention of procreation
– Possibility of leading to homosexuality
– Violation of the wife's right to sexual pleasure
– Disregard of the wisdom and design of creation
– Physical harm and psychological distress to both partners
He further notes that:
Reference: Zād al-Maʿād: 4/257
﴿نِسَاؤُكُمْ حَرْثٌ لَّكُمْ فَأْتُوا حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّىٰ شِئْتُمْ﴾
Surah al-Baqarah: 223
“Your wives are your tilth, so approach your tilth when and how you wish.”
❀ Jābir bin ʿAbdullāh رضي الله عنه reported:
The Jews used to claim that intercourse from behind (though still in the vagina) caused squint-eyed children. In response, Allah revealed:
﴿فَأْتُوا حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّىٰ شِئْتُمْ﴾
i.e., Intercourse is allowed from front or behind, as long as it is in the vagina, not the anus.
Sahih Ibn Ḥibbān: 4197 – Authentic, also in Sahih Muslim: 1435
❀ ʿIkrimah رحمه الله said:
“The verse refers only to the vaginal area.”
Sunan al-Dārimī: 1164 – Authentic
❀ He also said:
“A man may approach his wife while standing, sitting, or in any position – but not in the anus.”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 4/228 – Authentic
❀ al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī رحمه الله said:
The Jews used to mock the Companions, claiming that only one way of intercourse was allowed. Allah then revealed this verse to remove such restrictions from the believers.
Sunan al-Dārimī: 1165 – Authentic
✔ Engaging in anal intercourse unknowingly does not incur sin, but must stop immediately upon gaining knowledge.
✔ This act does not nullify the marriage, but it is strictly prohibited once known.
✔ Islam only permits intercourse through the front (vaginal) passage, which is pure and designed for reproduction.
✔ Anal intercourse is associated with spiritual, physical, and psychological harm, and invites Allah’s anger.
❖ Question:
What is the ruling if a husband and wife engaged in unnatural intercourse (anal intercourse) unknowingly for two months?
✿ Answer:
If this act was done out of ignorance, then there is no sin. However, once knowledge is attained, such unnatural intercourse becomes impermissible. This act does not invalidate the marriage.
One must fulfill marital relations in the manner prescribed by Allah, through the path He has allowed.
❀ Qur'anic Guidance:
﴿فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ﴾
Surah al-Baqarah: 222“When they (women) have purified themselves, then approach them from where Allah has commanded you.”
❖ Explanation from Scholars:
Imām Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله (d. 751H) elaborates:
This verse indicates that:
① Intercourse is only permitted in the front (vaginal) area, which is referred to as the “tilth” (ḥarth).
② The anal passage is not a place of purity or reproduction, but a place of filth and waste.
③ Engaging in intercourse through the anus has numerous harms, including:
– Prevention of procreation
– Possibility of leading to homosexuality
– Violation of the wife's right to sexual pleasure
– Disregard of the wisdom and design of creation
– Physical harm and psychological distress to both partners
He further notes that:
- Such acts destroy modesty,
- Darken the heart,
- Bring Allah’s wrath and curse,
- Cause alienation between husband and wife,
- And result in divine punishment, loss of blessings, and humiliation.
Reference: Zād al-Maʿād: 4/257❀ Another Qur’anic Verse:
﴿نِسَاؤُكُمْ حَرْثٌ لَّكُمْ فَأْتُوا حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّىٰ شِئْتُمْ﴾
Surah al-Baqarah: 223“Your wives are your tilth, so approach your tilth when and how you wish.”
❖ Hadith Evidence:
❀ Jābir bin ʿAbdullāh رضي الله عنه reported:
The Jews used to claim that intercourse from behind (though still in the vagina) caused squint-eyed children. In response, Allah revealed:
﴿فَأْتُوا حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّىٰ شِئْتُمْ﴾
i.e., Intercourse is allowed from front or behind, as long as it is in the vagina, not the anus.
Sahih Ibn Ḥibbān: 4197 – Authentic, also in Sahih Muslim: 1435❖ Sayings of the Salaf:
❀ ʿIkrimah رحمه الله said:
“The verse refers only to the vaginal area.”
Sunan al-Dārimī: 1164 – Authentic❀ He also said:
“A man may approach his wife while standing, sitting, or in any position – but not in the anus.”
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: 4/228 – Authentic❀ al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī رحمه الله said:
The Jews used to mock the Companions, claiming that only one way of intercourse was allowed. Allah then revealed this verse to remove such restrictions from the believers.
Sunan al-Dārimī: 1165 – Authentic
Summary:
✔ Engaging in anal intercourse unknowingly does not incur sin, but must stop immediately upon gaining knowledge.
✔ This act does not nullify the marriage, but it is strictly prohibited once known.
✔ Islam only permits intercourse through the front (vaginal) passage, which is pure and designed for reproduction.
✔ Anal intercourse is associated with spiritual, physical, and psychological harm, and invites Allah’s anger.
