❖ Source:
This fatwa is taken from the book “500 Questions & Answers for Women”, which contains rulings by the scholars of the Ḥaramayn and is translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.✿ Question:
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar رحمه الله has cited multiple narrations regarding the ruling on a man having intercourse with his wife through the unfamiliar route (i.e., the back passage). He has also presented the comments of the leading scholars on the chains of narration. The conclusion is that most of these chains have been criticized by scholars. Imām al-Bukhārī, Imām al-Nasāʾī, and others have stated that there is no authentic Hadith established on this issue.Additionally, Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar رحمه الله has mentioned that Ibn ʿUmar, Nāfiʿ, and Mālik رضوان الله عليهم have transmitted the permissibility of such intercourse. However, despite all this, Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar inclines towards the prohibition, considering the combined weight of all these reports. So, why don’t we accept the opinion of those scholars who claim that there is no authentic narration on this subject?
✿ Answer:
The opinion of those scholars is not acceptable here because they analyze each narration independently, whereas Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar رحمه الله, who holds the title Amīr al-Muʾminīn in Hadith, has gathered all narrations related to this issue, examined their chains, and applied the principles of Hadith science on them.After conducting this detailed analysis, Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar رحمه الله concluded that it would be a serious error to claim there is no Hadith at all on this topic.
Yes, it may be true that none of the narrations is fully authentic individually, but collectively, these narrations strengthen the interpretation of the Qur’anic verse:
﴿نِسَاؤُكُمْ حَرْثٌ لَّكُمْ فَأْتُوا حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّى شِئْتُمْ﴾
"Your wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish..."
[Al-Baqarah: 223]
These narrations also explain and support the interpretation that intercourse is only permissible through the front passage.
Furthermore, it is narrated in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim that:
"A man asked the Prophet ﷺ: Is it permissible for a man to have intercourse with his wife in any manner he likes?" The Prophet ﷺ replied:
❝Yes — but only in one opening (i.e., the front passage).❞
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1435]
✔ Conclusion:
- While individual narrations may not be entirely sound, their collective strength supports the prohibition of anal intercourse.
- Scholars like Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar رحمه الله and Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله affirm this view based on a thorough Hadith analysis.
- The Hadith from Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim explicitly limits permissibility to the front passage, thus reinforcing the illegitimacy of anal intercourse, despite scholarly differences.
Final Verdict:
Anal intercourse is not permissible in Islam. Despite some conflicting reports, the correct and precautionary view based on authentic evidence and scholarly research is that it is forbidden and a major sin.
[Shaykh Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī رحمه الله]