READ DISCLAIMER BEFORE PROCEEDING
1)
Successive Sessions of Sexual
Intercourse
a) Islam permits the couple to
have sex more than once in one given period of the day or night, provided no
harm is feared. Imam Ibn alQayyim al-Jawziyya mentions in his Al-Tibb
al-Nabawi that one should only have sex when sexual desire is at its peak
and the man has a full naturally gained erection which is not dependent on
thinking about something or looking at something. It is improper to try and force sexual desire (shahwa)
upon oneself. (Al-Tibb al-Nabawi P: 181)
As such, if there is a genuine
desire to re-engage in sexual relations, the couple may do so, otherwise it may
be better for them to wait until they are fully revitalised. Both spouses
should be extremely mindful and respectful of their partner's physical
condition in this regard, lest one is forced into something one is not ready
for.
b) There is complete agreement
of the scholars that it is not necessary to have a ritual bath in between two successive
sessions of sexual intercourse. The preferred habit of the Messenger of Allah (sa) was to have a separate bath each time, but he is also reported to
have engaged in successive sessions of intercourse having one bath only at the
end.
Sayyiduna Anas (r) relates that:
"The Messenger of Allah (sa) used to engage in sexual
relations with his [various] wives with a single bath."
(Sahih, Muslim 309,
Sunan al-Tirmidhi 140, Sunan Abi Dawud 220 and others)
The meaning of this hadith is
that the Messenger of Allah (sa) would engage in sexual relations with more than one of his wives
and then have one bath at the end. This is clear proof that having a bath in between
two successive sessions of sexual intercourse, whether with the same wife or a
different wife, is not necessary.
However, it is superior and
recommended to have a separate bath for each sexual encounter. Sayyiduna Abu Rafi' (r) relates that:·
"The Messenger of Allah (sa) engaged in sexual relations with his [various] wives one day, and
had a [separate] bath by this one and that one. He (Abu Rafi') says, "I said, "O Messenger of Allah, Why do you
not just have one bath?" He replied, 'This is cleaner and better and
purer."
(Sunan Abi Dawud 221, Sunan Ibn Majah 590 and Musnad
Ahmad, the wording is of Abi Dawud)
c) As far as performing a ritual
ablution in between two successive sessions of sexual intercourse, this is
strongly encouraged, but also not necessary. Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (r) relates that the Messenger of Allah (sa) said:
''When anyone amongst you has
sex with his wife and then intends to re-engage, he should perform ablution [in
between the two acts]." (Sahih, Muslim 308, Sunan al-Tirmidh'i 141
and Sunan Abi Dawud 222, the wording is of Muslim)
According to the general body
of scholars (jumhur) which includes the four schools, the command to
perform ablution in this hadith is a recommendation, not an obligation. The
same hadith is recorded in Sahih Ibn Khuzayma with the following
addition, "because it [performing ablution] gives him more energy for the
second time." (Sahih Ibn Khuzayma 221)
Moreover, Imam Tahawi relates with
his own chain of transmission to Sayyida 'A'isha (r) who says: "The Messenger of Allah (sa) used to have sexual relations, then
re-engage without performing ablution [ ... ]" (Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar 774)
d) If one is not able to
perform ablution, one should at least wash one's private parts before having
sex for the second time. Imam Nawawi mentions that if one intends to have sex with a different wife, then
washing the private parts is greatly emphasised. (Al-Minhaj Sharh Sahih Muslim P: 372)
To Be Continued....
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