Intimacy is a big part of marriage, so it’s natural to have questions about the extent of permissible behavior between couples in Islam. As a Muslim husband, you may have wondered, “Can I see my wife naked according to Islamic Sharia?”
The Islamic Sharia permits you to see your wife naked, particularly when you are sharing intimate moments within the confines of marriage. The majority of Islamic scholars, including the Hanafi, Shafi’i, and Maliki schools, agree that husbands and wives are allowed to look at each other’s naked bodies.
However, unnecessary nudity during intimacy is considered unsuitable by some scholars, particularly from the Hanbali school. We will discuss the permissibility of a husband seeing his wife naked in the light of the Quran and Hadith.
The Islamic Sharia Regarding the Husband Seeing His Wife Naked
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According to Islamic Sharia, married couples are allowed to see each other’s naked bodies, especially during intimate moments. The concept of ‘awrah’ (parts of the body to be hidden) doesn’t apply between a husband and wife. Various references support the permission for couples to see each other naked.
Quranic Reference on Seeing the Wife Naked
The permission for married couples to see each other’s naked bodies is derived from Quranic references, such as Surah Al-Ma’arij (70:29-30).
In this verse, Allah states that: “And those who guard their chastity. Except with their wives or those ˹bondwomen˺ in their possession, for then they are free from blame, but whoever seeks beyond that are the transgressors.˹The faithful are˺ also those who are true to their trusts and covenants;”
This verse allows a husband to behold his wife’s body without shame or guilt. The verse further emphasizes that those who seek intimacy beyond the boundaries of marriage are considered transgressors.
Hadith Reference on Seeing Wife Naked
Hadith scripture, which contains the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), further explains that couples can see each other naked.
One hadith found on Sunan Ibn Majah 1920, Bahz bin Hakim narrated from his father that his grandfather said:
“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, with regard to our ‘Awrah, what may we uncover of it and what must we conceal?’ He said: ‘Cover your ‘Awrah, except from your wife and those whom your right hand possesses.’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what if the people live close together?’ He said: ‘If you can make sure that no one sees it, then do not let anyone see it.’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what if one of us is alone?’ He said: ‘Allah is more deserving that you should feel shy before Him than People.’ ”
Most Islamic scholars classify this hadith as Sahih, which means that married couples are permitted to look at and touch each other’s private parts.
While permissibility exists, Islam emphasizes modesty and respect within the marital relationship. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated, “Modesty is part of faith,” implying that it is necessary to maintain modesty even at home.
Therefore, even though it is permissible to see each other naked as part of intimacy, Muslim couples are encouraged to maintain modesty and respect for one another.
Embrace Intimacy with Respect and Modesty Together
It is now clear that Islamic Sharia permits you, as a husband, to see your wife naked. The Quranic verse from Surah Al-Ma’arij (70:29-30) emphasizes the sanctity of marital intimacy, while the authentic Hadith from Sunan Ibn Majah 1920 reinforces this permission.
Islam emphasizes modesty and respect within the marriage relationship, as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stressed modesty as an essential element of faith.
Therefore, while permissibility exists, the guidance encourages Muslim couples to approach intimacy with a sense of decorum and mutual regard.
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Sources:
https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/family/is-looking-at-spouses-naked-body-allowed/
https://islam.stackexchange.com/questions/46393/what-is-the-awrah-between-husbands-and-wives
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/13486/husband-and-wife-sleeping-in-the-nude
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