These days mobile phones have become very commmon and often boys and girls tend to have sex on phone by pretending to be and sounding like having real sex together. Even though physically both are apart, but they fantasize having sex together. I wanted to ask whether this thing as a sin is equal to having real physical zina? Or it is less than a real physical sex and can be done if one fears commiting adultery?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

There is no doubt that this is considered a form of Zina (fornication or adultery), because Zina of the tongue is through speech, as stated by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in a Hadeeth narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Nevertheless, this kind of Zina is not equal to the actual Zina (having sexual intercourse), but it remains prohibited. Indeed, this form of Zina does not relieve sexual desire, rather it aggravates it.

However, Sharee`ah stated that marriage is the only lawful way for satisfying the sexual desire; otherwise, one should fast frequently as we explained in Fatwa 83481.

To know more about the steps that help one keep away from the minor Zina, please see Fataawa 85700 and 86024.

 Finally, we draw your attention to the fact that mobile phones are among the blessings of Allaah The Almighty, and people should thank Him for them by using them in what pleases Him, remembering that sins will cause the removal of blessings.

Allaah Knows best.