Importance of Foreplay in Marriage: Insights from Islamic Teachings

Why Foreplay Matters: Embracing Love and Intimacy in Marriage

What should be prioritized before intercourse is engaging in foreplay with one’s wife,

وَمِمَّا يَنْبَغِي تَقْدِيمُهُ عَلَى الْجِمَاعِ مُلَاعَبَةُ الْمَرْأَةِ،

kissing her,

وَتَقْبِيلُهَا،

and sucking her tongue.

وَمَصُّ لِسَانِهَا،

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to engage in foreplay with his family and kiss them.

وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُلَاعِبُ أَهْلَهُ، وَيُقَبِّلُهَا.

Abū Dāwūd reported in his “Sunan” narrated that he ﷺ used to kiss ʿĀʿishah and suck her tongue.

وَرَوَى أبو داود فِي «سُنَنِهِ» أَنَّهُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يُقَبِّلُ عائشة، وَيَمُصُّ لِسَانَهَا.

And it is mentioned from Jābir b. ʿAbd Allah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prohibited intercourse before foreplay.

وَيُذْكَرُ عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ: نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنِ الْمُوَاقَعَةِ قَبْلَ الْمُلَاعَبَةِ.

Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Ṭib al-Nabawī 1/189

ابن القيم، الطب النبوي ١/١٨٩