Fiqh of Marriage - Best Times for Intimacy

Let it be known I have no bad intentions in writing this. I am writing this because I think people stand to genuinely benefit from this knowledge, and nothing else.

Islam has given us guidance in everything. Allah’s guidance is perfect, pure and just and truthful.

وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا ۚ لَّا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

And perfected is the Word of your Lord in truth and justice; None can alter His words, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing. (6:115)

In regards to the timings of marital intimacy, there is no forbidden timings in general (exception in Ramadan daytime), and every time is permissible given it is appropriate. This is a mercy of Allah given that people may have different schedules, reasons and preferences. Truly the Law giver understands everything of the human heart and condition, and He is subtle with His slaves.

أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ

Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted? (Surah Mulk, 67:14)

But the Quran mentions:

“O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not [yet] reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at *three times*: before the Fajr prayer and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon and after the Isha prayer. [These are] three times of privacy for you.” (24:58)

No mention of intimacy comes in the verse, but the hints given is clear. A believer understand by hints, even when matters are not spelled out.

These three timings, which is before Fajr prayer, in the rest time at noon, and after Isha prayer, are special times one may take opportunity of, given the enforced privacy orders mentioned in the verse.

In Bukhari, we read:

Narrated Al-Aswad: I asked `Aisha “How is the night prayer of the Prophet?” She replied, “He used to sleep early at night, and get up in its last part to pray, and then return to his bed. When the Mu'adh-dhin pronounced the Adhan, he would get up. If he was in need of a bath he would take it; otherwise he would perform ablution and then go out (for the prayer).” (Bukhari 1146)

The words “If he was in need of a bath” and the narration indicates the Prophet ﷺ would have intimacy at the later part of the night, after the night prayer.

It was narrated that Al-Aswad bin Yazid said: “I asked ‘Aishah about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. She said: 'He used to sleep during the first part of the night, then get up during the time before dawn and pray witr. Then he would go to his bed and if he needed to be intimate he would go to his wife. Then when he heard the Adhan he would get up, and if he was junub [ritual impurity after discharge or intercourse] he would pour water over himself, otherwise he would perform wudu, then he would go out to the prayer.’” (Nasa'i 1680 meaning, Sahih - Daurssalam)

So the routine of the Prophet ﷺ was to sleep, get up for tahajjud, then go back to bed, if he wished he would then be intimate with his wife, he would sleep after tahajjud (as we learn from other narrations) and get up at Fajr azan.

Truly in the Messenger of Allah there is an excellent example.

Alhamdulillah who guided us to sound ways and wisdom,

وَاذْكُرْنَ مَا يُتْلَىٰ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ لَطِيفًا خَبِيرًا

And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allah and wisdom. Indeed, Allah is ever Subtle and Acquainted.

And praise be to Allah Lord of the worlds.