The Islamic Ruling on Oral Sex: A Guide for Muslim Couples

Understanding the Prohibition of Oral Sex in Islam

In the Name of Allāh, the Entirely Gracious, the Exclusively Merciful

 Question:

The questioner asks: What is the ruling on spouses enjoying each other orally, which some refer to as “oral sex”?

 Answer:

It is astonishing that such a question needs to be asked in this day and age. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has honoured the son of Adam by placing his mouth among the most esteemed organs, on his face, which is the most honoured visible part of the human body.

{وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ وَحَمَلْنَاهُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ} [ الإسراء:٧٠]

“And indeed We have honoured the Children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and sea” [Al-Isra: 70]

{لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ}[ التين:٤]

“Verily, We created man in the best stature (mould).” [At-Tin: 4].

Allah has honoured the son of Adam by placing his mouth on his face, the most esteemed visible part of the human body. Yet, he places his mouth in filthy places, or the woman places her mouth in filthy places – we seek refuge in Allah -. This act is forbidden. It is impermissible, and an imitation of the enemies of Islam, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

(مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ)

 "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." 

This act resembles animalistic behaviour. The enemies of Islam do not mind imitating animals in their food, life, and interactions. They imitate animals without caring. However, a Muslim, whom Allah has honoured and raised, should avoid imitating animals. This act is akin to the behaviour of dogs, apes, pigs, and other animals. Therefore, a Muslim should honour themselves as Allah, (جل وعلا), has honoured them and avoid such actions.

Moreover, this act involves an impure and unclean place. The Prophet (ﷺ) recommended using a miswak to purify the mouth. How can someone then go and place their mouth in filthy and impure places?! This act is forbidden and an imitation of the enemies of Islam.

Additionally, this act can lead to the transmission of diseases and viruses, dangerous diseases such as oral cancer and other than that, as confirmed by many doctors. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 

(لاَ ضَرَرَ وَلاَ ضِرَارَ)

"There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm."

 Allah (عز وجل) also says: 

{ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا۟ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى ٱلتَّهْلُكَة} 

"And do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction." 

This act is also an imitation of animals. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 

(لَيْسَ لَنَا مَثَلُ اَلسَّوْءِ, اَلَّذِي يَعُودُ فِي هِبَتِهِ كَالْكَلْبِ يَرْجِعُ فِي قَيْئِهِ)

“An evil example does not apply to us, one who repossesses a gift is like a dog which vomits and then returns to its vomit.” 

If this is the case for someone returning a gift, which the Prophet (ﷺ) likened to a dog, and made impermissible the repossession of a gift, then how much more so for this action that some people engage in, which is a result of imitating the enemies of Islam, influenced by looking at women, watching videos, TV shows, and watching forbidden pornographic content. May Allah protect us from such influences.

Therefore, Muslims should also avoid looking at women with lust. 

{قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ} 

"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do” [An-Nur: 30]

{يَعْلَمُ خَآئِنَةَ ٱلْأَعْيُنِ وَمَا تُخْفِى ٱلصُّدُورُ} 

“Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal.” [Ghafir: 19]

{وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْبَصَرَ وَٱلْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْـُٔولًۭا} 

“And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those one will be questioned (by Allah).” [Al-Israa: 36]

O Muslims! Do not watch TV shows, videos, pornographic content and do not look at immodestly dressed women. Such things are forbidden for you. Muslims must avoid them. May Allah guide us and you. 

Purity and sanctity come from following the Shariah of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) 

{قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ} 

"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do” [An-Nur: 30]

{وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ} 

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts)” [An-Nur: 31]

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) states in His Noble Book:

{إِنَّ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْبَصَرَ وَٱلْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْـُٔولًۭا}

“Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those one will be questioned (by Allah).” [Al-Israa: 36]

So do not be heedless, O Muslim, and do not look at what Allah has forbidden. Stay away from it. May Allah guide us and you, and all perfect praise with love and veneration belongs solely to Allah, the Rabb of all that exists.

Fatawa of Sheikh Muhammad bin Hizam Al-Ba’dany:

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