Sexual Relations in Islam: Quranic Guidance and Societal Implications
In our society, many slangs are associated with intimate relationships between men and women. However, Allah (SWT) has emphasized the significance of these matters. For instance, the Quran mentions the creation of human beings from semen, highlighting the miraculous nature of human creation. Additionally, believers are encouraged to protect their private parts and maintain modesty. While abstaining from intimate relations for a month can be challenging, Allah (SWT) has allowed married couples to engage in sexual relations during the nights of Ramadan. Let's explore these ideas further, supported by relevant Quranic verses and Hadiths.
Glorification of human creation:
The Quran acknowledges the role of semen in the creation of human beings. Human beings are created from semen, which is a miraculous process. This is based on the Quranic verse:
أَیَحۡسَبُ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُ أَن یُتۡرَكَ سُدًى
Does man assume that he will be let loose?
أَلَمۡ یَكُ نُطۡفَةࣰ مِّن مَّنِیࣲّ یُمۡنَىٰ
Was he not just a drop of the semen that is discharged?
(75:36-37).
The verse from Surah At-Tariq that relates to the creation of human beings from semen is verse 6-7, which says:
خُلِقَ مِن مَّاۤءࣲ دَافِقࣲ
یَخۡرُجُ مِنۢ بَیۡنِ ٱلصُّلۡبِ وَٱلتَّرَاۤىِٕبِ
“He was created from a fluid, ejected, emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.”
This verse implies that human beings are created from a spurting fluid, which is semen, that stems from between the backbone and the ribcage. This is consistent with the modern scientific understanding of the origin of semen in the male reproductive system.
In Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:12-14), Allah (SWT) describes the gradual process of human development from an extract of clay to a fully formed being.
لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن سُلَـٰلَةࣲ مِّن طِینࣲ
Indeed We created man from a chosen soil.
ثُمَّ جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ نُطۡفَةࣰ فِی قَرَارࣲ مَّكِینࣲ
Then made him a drop of fluid in a secure shelter.
ثُمَّ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلنُّطۡفَةَ عَلَقَةࣰ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡعَلَقَةَ مُضۡغَةࣰ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡمُضۡغَةَ عِظَـٰمࣰا فَكَسَوۡنَا ٱلۡعِظَـٰمَ لَحۡمࣰا ثُمَّ أَنشَأۡنَـٰهُ خَلۡقًا ءَاخَرَۚ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحۡسَنُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقِینَ
We then turned the drop of fluid into a clot of blood, then the clot into a small lump of flesh, then the lump into bones, then covered the bones with flesh; then developed it in a different mould; therefore Most Auspicious is Allah, the Best Creator.
This highlights the intricate and miraculous nature of human creation.
Protection of private parts:
Islam promotes modesty and the protection of one's private parts. In Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:5-6), Allah (SWT) encourages believers to guard their private parts, except in lawful relationships.
وَٱلَّذِینَ هُمۡ لِفُرُوجِهِمۡ حَـٰفِظُونَ
And who guard their private organs.
إِلَّا عَلَىٰۤ أَزۡوَ ٰجِهِمۡ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَیۡمَـٰنُهُمۡ فَإِنَّهُمۡ غَیۡرُ مَلُومِینَ
Except from their wives or the legal bondwomen that they possess, for then there is no blame upon them.
This emphasizes the importance of maintaining chastity and avoiding illicit sexual relationships.
Permission for sexual relations during Ramadan nights:
Allah (SWT) has allowed married couples to engage in sexual relations during the nights of Ramadan. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:187), it is stated that sexual relations are permissible during the nights preceding fasting.
أُحِلَّ لَكُمۡ لَیۡلَةَ ٱلصِّیَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَاۤىِٕكُمۡۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسࣱ لَّكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ لِبَاسࣱ لَّهُنَّۗ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمۡ كُنتُمۡ تَخۡتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمۡ فَتَابَ عَلَیۡكُمۡ وَعَفَا عَنكُمۡۖ فَٱلۡـَٔـٰنَ بَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَٱبۡتَغُوا۟ مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡۚ وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشۡرَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ یَتَبَیَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡخَیۡطُ ٱلۡأَبۡیَضُ مِنَ ٱلۡخَیۡطِ ٱلۡأَسۡوَدِ مِنَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا۟ ٱلصِّیَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّیۡلِۚ وَلَا تُبَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمۡ عَـٰكِفُونَ فِی ٱلۡمَسَـٰجِدِۗ تِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقۡرَبُوهَاۗ كَذَ ٰلِكَ یُبَیِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَایَـٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ یَتَّقُونَ
Going to your wives during the nights of the fast is made lawful for you; they are coverings for you and you are coverings for them; Allah knows that you were deceiving yourselves (in this respect), so He accepted your penance and forgave you; so cohabit with them and seek what Allah has destined for you – and eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread at dawn – then complete the fast till nightfall; and do not touch women while staying in seclusion for worship in the mosques; these are the limits imposed by Allah, so do not go near them; this is how Allah explains His verses to mankind so that they may attain piety.
This permission recognizes the physical and emotional needs of individuals and highlights the importance of fulfilling those needs within the boundaries of marriage.
Islam acknowledges that abstaining from intimate relations for a month can be challenging for individuals. However, fasting during Ramadan, including abstaining from sexual relations during daylight hours, serves as a test of self-discipline and devotion to Allah (SWT). It encourages individuals to exercise self-control and channel their sexual energy in a permissible manner. This is supported by the Hadith of the Prophet (SAW) who said: “Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.” (Bukhari). Another Hadith states: “O young men, whoever among you can afford it, get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding one’s chastity. And whoever cannot afford it should fast, for it will be a shield for him.” (Muslim).
It is important to note that the interpretation of religious texts can vary, and scholars may have different viewpoints on specific matters. Consulting knowledgeable scholars and studying the Quran and Hadith in depth can provide a more comprehensive understanding of Islamic teachings on intimacy and sexual relationships.