Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

aoa, Is a woman required to wear covered clothing while sleeping with her husband or can she wear sleevless nightdress if she is sleeping with her husband in their bedroom. Please advise to the details of the wife`s clothing at night in the privacy of her bedroom. Also, my husband likes to fantacize about other non-existing women or some such thing and I don`t mind it but would like to know if it is islamically acceptable? He says it is a part of foreplay. Please advise.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Satr between husband and wife

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Islam has allowed the husband and the wife in marriage every possible liberty to enjoy conjugal relations with each other, except three:

1. It is strictly prohibited to have sexual intercourse with one’s wife during her period of menstruation.
2. It is strictly prohibited to enter the woman through her anus.
3. Although there is no specific prohibition mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah, the majority of the scholars in Islam have voiced their opinion against ‘oral’ sex, whereby one touches the other’s private organs with their mouth.

Other than the above three restrictions, one may enjoy conjugal relations with one’s wife any place, any time, and any which way and how their heart’s desire.

There is absolutely no ‘satr’ between a husband and a wife bonded in the sacred institution of marriage in Islam; and it is absolutely permissible for them to wear (or not wear) whatsoever their hearts desire in their privacy without any restrictions whatsoever. If the husband wishes for his wife to wear lingerie or sleeveless night-dress, etc. when they are alone, and the wife wishes to fulfill her husband’s desire….there is absolutely no harm.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 223:

223 Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 187 (part):

They (your wives) are your (husband’s) garments; and ye (husbands) are their (wives’) garments.

Abu Dhar al-Ghafari reported: ‘The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “there is a reward for you [even] in sex with your wife."’ The companions asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah (saws) is there a reward if one satisfies his passion?" He (saws) said: "Do you know that if he satisfies it unlawfully he has taken a sin upon himself? Likewise, if he satisfies it lawfully, he is rewarded."

Related by Ahmad and Muslim.

We reiterate again that there is absolutely no ‘satr’ between a husband and a wife bonded in the sacred institution of marriage in Islam. They may choose to wear (or not wear) anything their hearts desire when in the privacy of their bedrooms alone.

Your Question: Also, my husband likes to fantacize about other non-existing women or some such thing and I don`t mind it but would like to know if it is islamically acceptable? He says it is a part of foreplay.

Respected sister in Islam, we are not entirely sure what you mean to inquire here or what exactly it means when you state that your husband likes to fantasize about ‘non-existing’ women during foreplay. Does he mention these fantasies aloud? Has he assigned names for these supposed ‘non-existent’ women he fantasizes about?

If you could kindly clarify what exactly you wish to inquire, we would try to the best of our ability and knowledge to provide you with an answer in light of the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, Insha Allah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan