Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Al-Azmi رحمه الله
The act of a human engaging in sexual relations with an animal (bestiality) is among the most vile and repugnant sins. It constitutes:
Allah ﷻ has allowed the fulfillment of sexual desire only through one's wife or legally owned bondwoman, as stated in the Qur'an:
﴿وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ ﴿٥﴾ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ ﴿٦﴾ فَمَنِ ابْتَغَىٰ وَرَاءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْعَادُونَ﴾
[Al-Mu’minūn: 5–7]
"And they guard their private parts, except with their wives or those their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy. But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors."
If this act is proven before a Sharʿī judge, then the judge may impose a taʿzīr punishment—a discretionary penalty sufficient to serve as a deterrent against this immoral crime.
There are two cases:
① If the animal belonged to the perpetrator,
② If it belonged to someone else,
This measure is taken in order to:
This is the opinion adopted by a group of scholars for the preservation of moral integrity and public decorum.
[Al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah: Fatwa no. 21279]
❖ Engaging in Sexual Acts with Animals
The act of a human engaging in sexual relations with an animal (bestiality) is among the most vile and repugnant sins. It constitutes:
- A transgression of Allah’s boundaries,
- A departure from natural human disposition (fiṭrah salīmah) upon which mankind has been created, and
- A perversion of the lawful ways Allah has designated for fulfilling desire.
Permissible Channels for Fulfillment of Desire
Allah ﷻ has allowed the fulfillment of sexual desire only through one's wife or legally owned bondwoman, as stated in the Qur'an:
﴿وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ ﴿٥﴾ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ ﴿٦﴾ فَمَنِ ابْتَغَىٰ وَرَاءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْعَادُونَ﴾
[Al-Mu’minūn: 5–7]
"And they guard their private parts, except with their wives or those their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy. But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors."
✔ Repentance for the One Who Commits This Act
- Repentance (tawbah) and seeking forgiveness (istighfār) is obligatory upon the one who commits this filthy act.
- He must also firmly resolve never to repeat it again.
⚖ Legal Consequences in an Islamic Court
If this act is proven before a Sharʿī judge, then the judge may impose a taʿzīr punishment—a discretionary penalty sufficient to serve as a deterrent against this immoral crime.
Ruling Concerning the Animal Involved
- The animal must be killed in all circumstances, regardless of whether the act was proven or confessed.
- Its meat is strictly impermissible to consume.
There are two cases:
① If the animal belonged to the perpetrator,
- Then no blood money (diyah) is required.
② If it belonged to someone else,
- Then the offender must compensate the owner for the value of the animal.
This measure is taken in order to:
- Erase the memory of the incident,
- Prevent shame from being associated with any person due to that animal,
- And ensure the incident is not remembered or revived through the animal’s presence.
This is the opinion adopted by a group of scholars for the preservation of moral integrity and public decorum.
[Al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah: Fatwa no. 21279]
