Islamic Sexual Jurisprudence - Sex Within Marriage

Sex Within Marriage

In Islamic law, marriage legalizes sexual intercourse between the husband and wife. Both classical and modern Islamic treatises strongly urge Muslims to get married, not only for reproduction, but also for sexual pleasure. According to Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the primary objective of marriage is reproduction, for the "preservation of the human species".

To varying degrees Islamic law explicitly states that both men and women are entitled to sexual gratification in marriage. While neither partner can force the other to comply, constant refusal or inability to have sex is regarded as a valid reason for talaq or khula (divorce). Throughout the history of Islamic exegetical traditions, philosophies, and law, much has been written to encourage, often in quite frank and explicit terms, Muslims to cultivate between themselves in their marriages both sexual passion and tenderness. "Your women are a tilth for you (to cultivate) so go to your tilth as ye will, and send (good deeds) before you for your souls, and fear Allah, and know that ye will (one day) meet Him. Give glad tidings to believers, (O Muhammad)" Qur'an 2:223

There is no sense of guilt associated with sex, although sex is regulated for the sake of hygiene. It is considered forbidden (Haram) for a man to have sex with his wife during her period.