Can Married Couples Film Themselves or Use Mirrors during Intercourse?

Question

I would like to know if hanging wall mirrors in one’s bedroom will be permissible so that the husband and wife can look at themselves in the mirror during intercourse to enhance foreplay and intimacy.

What about taking digital photos and videos in the privacy of one’s bedroom? Can a husband and wife do this during intimacy to enhance foreplay and sexual pleasure? (given the permissibility of digital photos and videos.)

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

These activities may be permissible, but we must caution you to consider upon what you base your ideas of enjoyment and to consider the modesty, comfortability, and personal boundaries of both husband and wife, and Allah knows best.

Blessings of Prophetic Guidance

Islam is beautiful, and Allah has prescribed beauty and excellence in everything. [Muslim] The Prophetic example should guide us in every aspect of life. For example, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) taught that “modesty is a branch of faith” [Ibid.]

Therein we find beauty in the seemingly mundane, even fulfilling carnal pleasures lawfully.

When we base our lives on the Prophetic model, we experience pure enjoyment that brings blessings and spiritual nourishment. Basing our lives and marital relations on the fantasies of mainstream media, regardless of permissibility, will not attract the blessings and spiritual goodness of the Sunna, and Allah knows best.

Mirrors

Seeking lawful pleasure within marriage is encouraged. Using mirrors in one’s bedroom is permissible. Therefore, if both husband and wife are comfortable using mirrors this way, they may do so, and Allah knows best.

Photography and Filming

Filming and taking photos of each other’s nakedness is extremely risky, and we would not advise it. Still, based on the views that hold photography to be permissible, married couples may engage in this type of activity if they are both comfortable and take the required precautions to guarantee each other’s privacy. Any risks of hacks, leaking the content, or discovery of the material by others would render this act impermissible, and the couple would be sinful should that happen (Allah forbid).

A man may look at his wife or vice versa, including her nakedness, though it is offensive for either husband or wife to look at the other’s genitals. Masturbation through self-stimulation is unlawful, but spouses may stimulate each other, and Allah knows best. [Nawawi, Minhaj al-Talibin]

Self-Stimulation

Imam Shafi’i concluded that masturbation (self-stimulation) is unlawful because Allah says: “And those who guard their chastity (i.e., private parts, from illegal sexual acts). Except for their wives or (concubines) that their right hands possess – for them, they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors.” [Quran 23:5-7]

Sex Limitations

Married couples may enjoy each other’s entire bodies if their enjoyment does not cause any harm. Anal intercourse is unlawful. [Nawawi, Minhaj al-Talibin]

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

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 has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.