Q&A – Photos Teaching Sex

Question:
Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. Is it permissible for Muslims to look at pictures of couples doing other styles of sexual intercourse? Please know that they are NOT showing their private parts. Please also know that this is for the sake of me and my husband to experiment and attain pleasure. Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Answer:
Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister in Islam, thanks a lot for your question, which reflects your care to have a clear view of the teachings of Islam. Allah commands Muslims to refer to people of knowledge to become well acquainted with the teachings of Islam in all aspects of life.

Islam is a comprehensive religion that takes are of all aspects of life. Sexual intercourse between husband and wife, and sexual instinct are among the important matters that Islam takes care of. However, when the Qur’an speaks about such matters, it does so delicately. Every Muslim is advised to learn from it when asking about matters related to intimate relationships.
Muslims can learn about sex by various lawful means. Muslim couples are encouraged to read books that explain proper conduct and rulings related to sex, and that have some illustrations without any immoral pictures or vulgar expressions.
Responding to the question, Zeinab Al-`Alawani, instructor of fiqh and Islamic studies, Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences, states the following:

Intimate relations is a subject that requires a lot of sensitivity and privacy in handling. The Qur’an has set an ideal example in the use of euphemism and indirect expression when explaining some rules pertaining to intimacy and physical relations. Look, for example, at the expression (They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them) (Al-Baqarah 2:187). How polite, reserved, and indirect this expression is!

As far as the question is concerned, any pictures that show other people involved in the sexual relationship – even if the private parts are not shown but the pictures provoke desires and sexual drives – are forbidden. The husband and wife should use other methods to improve their relations or seek knowledge from academic books that provide some illustrations and not actual pictures.