Guidelines To Intimacy In Islam Episode 11

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Guidelines To Intimacy In Islam

Episode 11

SEX DURING PREGNANCY AND THE PERIOD OF BREASTFEEDING

There is no difference of opinion between the scholars that it is permitted for a couple to have sex whilst the wife is pregnant. Likewise, it is permitted to have sex during the period of breastfeeding. Sayyiduna Sa'ad Ibn Waqqaas relates that:

"A man came to Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and said, "I practice coitus interruptus [i.e. 

withdrawal method or 'azl] with my wife."

Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Why do you do that?" He replied, "I fear for her child or her children." Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "If it was harmful, then it would have harmed the Persiansand Byzantines." (Sahih Muslim 1443)

Mulla 'Ali al-Qari عليه تعاىل هللا رحمة ,the great scholar of Hadith, explains that the man feared for the child in his wife's womb, and that having sex with her may cause her to conceive again, resulting in twins which could weaken both foetuses.

A second interpretation is that he feared for the child being breastfed, in that sex may be harmful for the suckling child. Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم rejected both notions saying

that if sex was harmful during pregnancy or during the period of breastfeeding, itwould have harmed the Persians and Byzantines. (See: Mirqaat al-Mafatih 6:238)

  Asadiyya-al Wahb bint Judama relates that she heard Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم say:

"I considered prohibiting sex during the period of breastfeeding (ghayla), but I remembered the Byzantines and Persians practicing this, and their children were not harmed ... " (Sahih Muslim 1442)

Having said the above, scholars recommend that couples should seek reliable medical advice before having coitus during both pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding. If a particular couple are advised by a medical specialist that coitus is harmful during pregnancy or the period of breastfeeding, whether it puts the mother at risk, the suckling child or the foetus, then sexual relations should be avoided (Adaab-e-Mubasharaat P: 34-35). 

The Hadith of Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم in this context, is understood to apply to normal 

situations.

*Be Gentle*

Furthermore, the husband should ensure he is extremely gentle and careful with his pregnant wife during sexual relations. He should avoid positions that may cause discomfort to her, especially in the final stages of pregnancy when the wifecan become tired and exhausted very easily. (Ahmad Kan'an, Usul al-Mu'aashara al-Zawjiyya P: 79)