Can Husband See His Wife's Private Parts In Islam? As Answered By Quran And Hadith

Intimacy remains a sensitive topic in Islam. From relationships outside marriage to how husband and wife should behave when they have married. Regarding the intimacy between a Muslim husband and wife, there is a common question being asked: can a husband see his wife’s private parts in Islam?

The answer to the question is not exist in Islam, so we have to be careful to find the right judgement. We can look up at the hadith and other Sunnah. We are here trying to give you some clarity about the answer.

Sex In Marriage

Indeed, Islam never forbid any sexual intercourse between man and woman. However there is one absolute condition any Muslim should fulfill: both of them must be legally married. Thus, sexual intercourse will become abundant blessing instead.

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As Allah SWT has said in the Holy Quran

“Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will.” (Chapter 2, Surah Baqarah, verse 223)

The law was once again strengthen by hadith from Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Abu Dhar Al Ghafari reported: he Messenger of Allah (saws) said: there is a reward for you [even] in sex with your wife." The companions asked: O Messenger of Allah (saws) is there a reward if one satisfies his passion?" He (saws) said: "Do you know that if he satisfies it unlawfully he has taken a sin upon himself? Likewise, if he satisfies it lawfully, he is rewarded." (by Ahmad and Muslim)

From both proofs, it’s clear that sexual intercourse for marriage couple is rewarded by Allah SWT.

Prohibition Of Sexual Intercourse

Even if sexual intercourse is allowed for marriage couple, there are some prohibition that must be noted. Such as a husband should not ask for sex when the wife is in her period of menstruation. If he ever ask for sexual intercourse, it will become a huge sin for the husband.

The second prohibition is not to have sex from behind. A husband is forbidden to enter from his wife’s anus, under any situation. It also a severe sin to ever cross the rule.

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Lastly, many Islamic scholars have voiced their disagreement towards oral sex. Where one touches other’s private organs using their mouth. Even though there are no explicit prohibition mentioned in the Quran, it becomes debatable since the act is considered disgraceful.

Can Husband And Wife See Each Other Completely Naked?

Before answering the question about can husband see his wife’s private parts in Islam, we may take look into can Muslim married couple be with each other while they completely naked?

Again, this matter is not explicitly explained in the Holy Quran. Fortunately, Aisha RA, one of the Prophet’s beloved wife had one stated regarding this matter. There are 3 hadiths mentioning about it.

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Narrated by Hisham bin Urwa (on the authority of his father) that Aisha said, "I and Allah's Messenger (saws) used to take a bath from a single water container, from which we took water simultaneously." (Al Bukhari 1.272)

Narrated by Aisha, “The Prophet (saws) and I used to take a bath from a single pot of water and our hands used to go in the pot after each other in turn.” (Al Bukhari 1.261)

Narrated by Aisha, “The Prophet (saws) and I used to take a bath from a single pot while we were Junub. During the menses, he used to order me to put on an Izar (dress worn below the waist) and he (saws) used to fondle me.” (Al Bukhari 1.298)

From the explanation above we can see that Islam doesn’t forbid husband and wife to be naked and taking bath together. As long as they don’t do anything forbidden (as mentioned above).

Quranic Verse Regarding That Matter

When we are looking for answer to anything, the first thing we must look up into is the Holy Quran. The fact that Islam allowed husband and wife to see each other’s private parts had clearly written.

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“And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts). Except from their wives or (the slaves) that their right hands possess, for then, they are free from blame.” (Chapter 23, Surah Mu’minoon, verse 5-6)

This was then strengthen by hadith by Aisha that re-narrated by Muslim.

It is narrated that Aisha said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and I used to do ghusl from one vessel placed between me and him. He would hasten until I would say, ‘Leave some for me, leave some for me.’”(Narrated by Al Bukhari, 258; Muslim, 321 – this version narrated by Muslim).

Sunnah from the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) and His Wife

Even though the Holy Quran has mentioned how someone must not guard their private parts to his wife or husband, there was a Sunnah we must consider. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself had never once looking at the private parts of his wife, Aisha until he died. In return, Aisha never looked at the Prophet’s private part as well.

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Aisha said: "The Prophet died; he never looked at me (private parts) and I never looked at his". If this Hadith is sound it teaches only noble character, but does not establish the prohibition for the above acts.

Conclusion

There is no explicit explanation regarding is it allowed for husband to see his wife’s private parts in Islam. In Al Quran it was mentioned that Muslims are allowed to open up their private parts to their legal spouse.

But if we are to answer can husband see his wife’s private parts in Islam, the answer may depend. If you solely based on Al Quran, surely you are allowed. However, if you look at Sunnah, the Prophet had never done that. As every Muslim knows, Sunnah was placed second in Sharia law, right after Al Quran.