Source: Fatawa Ilmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam)
Is it permissible to have intercourse with one’s wife while the light is on?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
It is permissible in Shariah for a husband to have intercourse with his wife in any posture — lying down, sitting, standing, or otherwise. Likewise, it is allowed both during the day and at night, whether in light or darkness.
However, during intercourse, two matters must be strictly avoided:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ أَتَى امْرَأَتَهُ فِي دُبُرِهَا»
(Abu Dawood: 2162, authenticated by Shaykh al-Albani in Sahih al-Targhib, 2432)
Meaning:
"Cursed is the one who has intercourse with his wife in her anus."
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَيَسـَٔلونَكَ عَنِ المَحيضِ ۖ قُل هُوَ أَذًى فَاعتَزِلُوا النِّساءَ فِى المَحيضِ ۖ وَلا تَقرَبوهُنَّ حَتّىٰ يَطهُرنَ ۖ فَإِذا تَطَهَّرنَ فَأْتوهُنَّ مِن حَيثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّـهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوّٰبينَ وَيُحِبُّ المُتَطَهِّرينَ ﴿٢٢٢﴾ نِساؤُكُم حَرثٌ لَكُم فَأْتوا حَرثَكُم أَنّىٰ شِئتُم…﴿٢٢٣﴾
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 222-223)
Translation:
"They ask you about menstruation. Say: It is a harm, so keep away from women during menstruation, and do not approach them until they are purified. When they have purified themselves, then go to them as Allah has permitted you. Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and those who keep themselves pure. Your wives are your tilth, so approach your tilth as you wish."
From the above Hadith and Qur’anic verse, it is clear that:
❖ Anal intercourse is haram.
❖ Intercourse during menstruation is prohibited.
Other than these two prohibitions, a husband may have marital relations with his wife at any time, in any posture, and whether in light or darkness.
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
Question
Is it permissible to have intercourse with one’s wife while the light is on?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
It is permissible in Shariah for a husband to have intercourse with his wife in any posture — lying down, sitting, standing, or otherwise. Likewise, it is allowed both during the day and at night, whether in light or darkness.
However, during intercourse, two matters must be strictly avoided:
➊ Anal Intercourse is Forbidden
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ أَتَى امْرَأَتَهُ فِي دُبُرِهَا»
(Abu Dawood: 2162, authenticated by Shaykh al-Albani in Sahih al-Targhib, 2432)
Meaning:
"Cursed is the one who has intercourse with his wife in her anus."
➋ Intercourse During Menstruation is Prohibited
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَيَسـَٔلونَكَ عَنِ المَحيضِ ۖ قُل هُوَ أَذًى فَاعتَزِلُوا النِّساءَ فِى المَحيضِ ۖ وَلا تَقرَبوهُنَّ حَتّىٰ يَطهُرنَ ۖ فَإِذا تَطَهَّرنَ فَأْتوهُنَّ مِن حَيثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّـهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوّٰبينَ وَيُحِبُّ المُتَطَهِّرينَ ﴿٢٢٢﴾ نِساؤُكُم حَرثٌ لَكُم فَأْتوا حَرثَكُم أَنّىٰ شِئتُم…﴿٢٢٣﴾
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 222-223)
Translation:
"They ask you about menstruation. Say: It is a harm, so keep away from women during menstruation, and do not approach them until they are purified. When they have purified themselves, then go to them as Allah has permitted you. Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and those who keep themselves pure. Your wives are your tilth, so approach your tilth as you wish."
Conclusion
From the above Hadith and Qur’anic verse, it is clear that:
❖ Anal intercourse is haram.
❖ Intercourse during menstruation is prohibited.
Other than these two prohibitions, a husband may have marital relations with his wife at any time, in any posture, and whether in light or darkness.
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
