Hadith on Lawful Marital Intimacy and Rejecting Superstitions
Pre-Islamic Arabia
In pre-Islamic Arabia, some communities, including certain Jews, held superstitious beliefs about sexual practices and fertility. They believed that certain positions or actions, including intercourse during menstruation or from the backside, could affect a child’s traits. Some fortune-tellers even claimed such practices were allowed or beneficial if done in specific ways. Islam came to correct these misconceptions, emphasizing lawful and ethical sexual conduct as part of divine guidance.
📖Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3904
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, Whoever goes to a fortuneteller and believes in what he says, or approaches his wife for intercourse while she is menstruating, or approaches his wife for intercourse from her backside, he has no share in what has been revealed to Muhammad.”
Explanation:
- The hadith forbids intercourse during menstruation and from the backside, regardless of what fortune-tellers claimed.
- It emphasizes that blindly following superstitions or false advice goes against divine guidance.
📖Sahih Muslim 1435b
Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: The Jews used to say, “When a man has intercourse with his wife through the vagina, but being on her back, and she becomes pregnant, the child will have a squint.”
The verse of the Qur’an was revealed: “Your wives are your tilth; go then unto your tilth as you may desire.” (Qur’an 2:223)
Explanation:
- This hadith shows the superstition that certain sexual positions could affect offspring.
- Islam rejects these beliefs and teaches that lawful marital relations are not dictated by superstition.
Qur’anic Context
📖Surah Al-Baqarah 2:223
Your wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish, and put forth [righteousness] for yourselves…”
- This verse highlights that women are the source of life and progeny, being the means through which children are born. The term “place of cultivation” metaphorically emphasizes fertility and family growth, and it does not prescribe the direction, method, or manner of intimate relations beyond what is lawful, Islam emphasizes that intimacy between spouses must be mutual and consensual. It is not about forcing women, but about fulfilling natural desires within the bounds of marriage. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 5199
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and your wife has a right over you.
- This hadith shows that marital intimacy is a mutual right and responsibility. When both husband and wife agree, it is entirely lawful and natural. The verse and the hadith together guide Muslims to approach marital relations with mutual respect, consent, and a sense of responsibility, aiming for both personal righteousness and the growth of family life.
📖Surah Al-Baqarah 2:222 (about menstruation)
They ask you about menstruation. Say: It is harmful; so keep away from women during menstruation and do not approach them until they are pure…”
Explanation:
- Qur’an explicitly forbids intercourse during menstruation (2:222).
- Intercourse from the backside or following fortune-tellers’ advice is also prohibited (2:223 and hadith).
- Islam emphasizes lawful and respectful relations within marriage, rejecting superstition and baseless practices.
So, in Pre-Islamic Arabs and some Jewish communities believed sexual positions or timing could influence a child’s traits and sometimes followed fortune-tellers’ advice. Islam clarified through Qur’an and hadith that:
- Intercourse during menstruation is forbidden (2:222).
- Intercourse from the backside is forbidden (Sunan Abu Dawud 3904).
- Fortune-teller guidance has no validity.
- Sexual relations are lawful and ethical within marriage, and outcomes of offspring are determined by Allah alone.