Is it permissible for the husband and wife to have anal sex?

-  Some people say that it is very sinful but others say that it is normal if both parties consent to it, which one is correct?

Dear Brother / Sister,

It is absolutely haram to have sexual intercourse with a woman from the back / anus no matter how it is made. If the woman consents to it, she also becomes a partner in that major sin. Anal intercourse, even between spouses, is called liwata (sodomy) and is forbidden.

It is stated in the Quran that one of the main purposes of sexual intercourse is the perpetuation of the human race and it is stated that any form of intercourse is allowed as long as it is through the woman’s genitals (vagina).

“They ask thee concerning women’s courses. Say: They are a hurt and a pollution: So keep away from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean. But when they have purified themselves, ye may approach them in any manner, time, or place ordained for you by Allah. For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.” (al-Baqara, 2/222)

The next verse is as follows:

“Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will; but do some good act for your souls beforehand; and fear Allah. And know that ye are to meet Him (in the Hereafter), and give (these) good tidings to those who believe!” (al-Baqara, 2/223)

Accordingly, it is stated that any kind of sexual intercourse is halal provided that it is through the reproductive organs. Then, sexual intercourse through the anus is not permissible.

It is stated in various hadiths that the one who approaches his wife from a place other than the genitals will be cursed by Allah and it will be considered as a form of liwata.

The Prophet (pbuh) states the following:

“He who approaches his wife from the anus is cursed.”

“Allah will not look with mercy on anyone who approaches a man or a woman from behind.” (see Abu Dawud, Nikah, 45; Musnad, I, 86; II, 444; Tirmidhi, Taharah, 102; Mishkatul-Masabih, II, 184)

The hadiths above and similar ones are evidence that it is haram to have sexual intercourse with a woman through her anus / place of discharging feces. Therefore, it is haram for a man to have intercourse with his wife through her anus. However, since the Shari’ah has not prescribed a specific punishment for it, the punishment of it cannot be considered within the scope of hadd punishments. It is included among tazir punishments. Therefore, the imam or the judge should give a deterrent and painful punishment to the person who commits that deed. This is because even though the punishment is a tazir punishment, it must be deterrent and painful. It is better to leave it to the discretion of the judge.

 One of the most important measures for such a person is to seek refuge in Allah very sincerely and pray Him day and night to save him from that trouble. Then, he should exercise his will and show that he is determined to give it up.

As for repentance for such a sin, it would be good to respond to it with the following verses of the Quran:

“Say: ‘O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah. for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’ Turn ye to our Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (Will), before the Penalty comes on you: after that ye shall not be helped.” (az-Zumar, 39/53-54).

Since Allah forgives all sins, He will surely forgive this one too as long the person repents. Repentance means to return. It is the name of returning from the sin and bad situation one has been involved in to his good and sinless original state. If the bad deed is repeated, it means the return has not taken place yet. Whenever there is an irreversible renunciation, conversion, i.e. repentance, will have taken place.

Therefore, it is meaningless, and even sinful, for such people to despair of Allah’s mercy as long as they can achieve such renunciation/repentance.

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