1. INTENTIONS AND SEXUAL RELATIONS
INTENTION
(niyya) is the fundamental element that elevates mundane acts into acts
of great virtue, drawing immense rewards. Sayyiduna 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (r) relates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (s) say:
"Actions are but by
intentions, and one shall only have that which one intends ... "
(Sahih,
al-Bukhari)
Imam
Ibn Nujaym (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions a well known juristic maxim (qa'ida fiqhiyya) which states: "There is no reward without
intention." (Al-Ashbah wa 'l-Naza'ir P: 19) Imam 'Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak (may Allah have
mercy on him) says: "How often a paltry act becomes great by its
intention, and how often a great act becomes paltry by its intention." (Siyar
A'lam al-Nubala' 8:400)
As
such, forming the correct intention for everything that one does is of
paramount importance. For one's acts to be consonant with the Sunna of the
beloved Messenger of Allah (sa) and
to win unto the pleasure of Allah Most High, one must form
an intention for Allah Most High, otherwise, it remains but a routine habit.
Sexual
relations with one's spouse are not excluded from this principle, in that they
should be performed with transformative intentions and objectives (maqasid)
in mind, namely:
I) Increasing the nation (umma)
of Allah's Messenger (sa) and seeking pious offspring who will serve Islam. Allah Most High
says:
"So now have relations
with them [your wives] and seek what Allah has ordained for you."
(Qur'an 2:187)
The
great exegete (mufassir) of the Qur'an Imam Ibn Kathir (may Allah have
mercy on him) quotes from many Companions (sahaba), their followers (tabi’un), and other classical exegetes (mufassirun),
such as Abu Hurayra, 'Abdullah ibn Abbas, Anas, Mujahid, Ikrima, Sa'id ibn
Jubayr that the words of Allah Most High "and seek" refers to having children.
(Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim 1:300)
The
great nineteenth century scholar of Qur'anic exegesis and Prophetic narrations
in the Indian Subcontinent, Shaykh Shabbir Ahmad Uthmani, writes in his
renowned Urdu exegesis of the Qur'an, ''You should seek the children ordained
for you in the heavenly book (Al-lawh, al-mahfuz) through sexual
intercourse with your women. Mere satisfaction of lust and sexual desire should
not be the aim." (Tafsir-eUthmsni 1:130)
Sayyida
'A'isha ~relates that the Messenger of Allah (s) said:
"Marriage is from my way (sunna).
And whoever does not practice my way [out of rejection] is not from me. And
marry [and procreate], for indeed I will outnumber the other nations by you ...
"
(Sunan Ibn Majah 1846)
It is evident from these texts
that procreation and seeking of pious offspring are valid objectives of sexual
relations with one's spouse. The Messenger of Allah (s) encouraged his followers to marry in order to seek
what Allah provides through the beautiful union of a man and woman.
2) Protection against
fornication and other corrupting activities, such as masturbation, looking at
pornographic material, and casting lustful gazes at the opposite gender. Sayyiduna 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (r) relates that the Messenger of Allah (sa) said to us:
"O group of young men,
anyone [of you] who can afford it should marry, for it lowers the eyes and
guards the private parts. Anyone who is unable to marry should fast, for it
restrains the appetite."
(Sahih, al-Bukhari 4779)
Sayyiduna Jabir (r) relates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (sa) say:
''When a woman attracts anyone
of you and she captivates his heart, then he should go to his wife and have sex
with her, for it would repel that what he feels [i.e. sexual desire]."
(Sahih,
Muslim 1403)
One
of the basic objectives of sexual relations with one's spouse, therefore, is chastity
and to satisfy one's sexual needs lawfully so that one can refrain from
unlawful acts.
3) Fulfilling the right of
one's spouse in a lawful manner, as it is the responsibility of each spouse to
satisfy the sexual needs of the other, as will be discussed in more detail
later on, by the Will of Allah.
4) Removing fluids from the
body, which would otherwise leave one susceptible to illness and poor health.
(Ibn al-Qayyim, Al-Tibb al-Nabaw'i 178)
5) Enjoying this great gift
that the All-Merciful has given to mankind. There is nothing wrong in intending
enjoyment and sexual gratification when engaging in sexual relations with one's
spouse. Sex is not a dirty act, but rather something that has been practised by
countless Prophets and pious servants of Allah Most High. As such, lawfully
enjoying this act does not conflict with modesty or good character in any way.
Sex
at times is perceived of as unclean, and as something that should only be
practised as a need, like the need to relieve oneself. People holding this
misconception perform sex reluctantly, and consider any enjoyment derived from
it as disrespectful or immoral. They have completely missed the point. Lawful
sex is an act of worship, and should be enjoyed as much as possible.
{Note that all medical statements quoted in this book are derived
from the books of classical and contemporary Muslim scholars; some of whom
would have had their medical training from Greek-influenced medicine, hence
their medical opinions and understanding of the body may be taken from Greek
medicine, rather than Prophetic medicine. And whilst Prophetic medicine can, of
course, never be disproved or denied, there are aspects to Greek medicine
which have been. As such, medical opinions in this book may differ from the
findings and approach of modern Western medicine, and some of which might not
today be wholly accurate. The reader is advised to keep this in mind whilst
reading the book.}
To Be Continued....
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