Is Intercourse Facing the Direction of Prayer (Qibla) Permitted?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question Summary
Is it disliked (makruh) to face the direction of prayer (qibla) while engaged in physical intimacy?
Question Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah guide our hearts, tongues, and deeds to that which perpetually pleases Him.
Facing the direction of prayer while engaged in physical intimacy is not disliked as there is no evidence for that, and Allah knows best.
Intercourse Facing the Direction of Prayer (Qibla)
It is permissible and not disliked to face the direction of prayer during intercourse or in the opposite direction (back-facing), whether indoors or outdoors. Facing or back-facing the direction of prayer is disliked while urinating or defecating outdoors, and Allah knows best. [Nawawi, Al-Majmuʿ Sharh Al-Muhadhdhab]
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
