Early intentions to marry, and sexual practices in marriage
Fatwa No: 88703

Question

1) What does the female Muslim name 'RUHIA' mean?
2) Is it Islaamicly allowed for a boy and girl to like each other and promise to get married one day? Note: Without any intimacy in ANYWAY. Please try to answer this for me. Because there is a girl I like. We advise each other to education and what is good and we aspire to be a devoted Muslim couple one day. Please is it allowed?
3) Is a husband allowed to stimulate his wife's clitoris with his hand and she his organ with her hand. Or Islaamic Modesty is against this?
4) Masturbation is touching the genitals to gain sexual pleasure. Does someone masturbate if they rub their genitals because they feel some itching there and not aim at any pleasure. Please I patiently await your answer.

Answer

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 is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

1)     We do not know the precise meaning of this name, except that it apparently is related to the Ruh (spirit-soul). It might be that giving this name is to suggest that the girl is of the same status as the soul is to the body, to denote her honour and dignity.

2)     If you mean that they would establish an affectionate relationship between them, like meeting and discussing and the like; then this is not permissible. If you mean that one loves the other without transgressing the limits of Allaah, then this is a matter of a natural disposition that could happen to a person without intending it. In this case he is not held accountable, but he should be careful not to be led to discussions and meetings, and what is more sinful than this, which Allaah has forbidden. Anyway marriage is the solution to this love. The Prophet said: "There is nothing better for those who love one another than marriage." [Ibn Maajah] As regards advising each other and calling to Allaah, there is no doubt that this is something good in general. But, such talk between a man and a marriageable woman, could lead to corruption.  Therefore, you should appoint other women like her to advise her, admonish her, etc.

3)     It is permissible for each spouse to take pleasure from the other as he/she likes. However, it is an obligation on the husband to avoid anal sex and having intercourse when the wife is in menses.

4)     Masturbation is forbidden as Allaah says (interpretation of meaning): {But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors}[23: 7]. So it is not permissible for a Muslim to desire this, but if one ejaculates without intending to masturbate due to rubbing because of an itch he has, then there is no sin, Inshaa Allaah, and thus it becomes known that rubbing which doesn't result in ejaculation is also not prohibited. It is more appropriate for him to avoid as much as possible what could lead to that.

 Allaah knows best.

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