Is Violence During Intercourse Allowed?
Question: Is it permissible to strike the face or put one’s foot on someone’s face during intercourse?
Answer:
Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your important question.
So, to my very limited knowledge, there are four issues to talk about here. Proper Islamic decorum during intercourse, causing non-consensual pain, causing harm (even if consensual), and striking or showing disrespect to the face per se.
Regarding non-consensual pain, it is not permissible even if slight. One may not intentionally cause pain to another if it is not clear that they want that.
Furthermore, if they do consent to receiving the pain but it is actually harmful, then it would be forbidden regardless. Our bodies are not ours and we do not have the right to harm them.
The last point is the face. The face is a place of honor. We put our faces on the ground to show our respect and slavehood to Allah. For this reason, striking the face or showing it disrespect is forbidden. Please see:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/is-watching-boxing-allowed-in-islam/
The remains the question of whether or not placing the foot on the face is forbidden in itself in point of the fact that by its very nature it is disrespectful.
It is worth noting at this juncture that the story of Sayyidna Abu Dharr having Sayyidna Bilal put his foot on his face as a recompense for a racial comment Abu Dharr made against him is not sound. [Sharh al-Bukhari, Ibn Battal]
Two muftis that I consulted were of the opinion that it would be permissible if there was no harm, no actual kicking, and if it was done with consent.
Any other physical actions towards the face that does not display disrespect, do not involve hitting, and does not result in harm or non-consensual pain would be allowed.
I pray this helps.
[Ustadh] Farid Dingle
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.
