Is it permissible to read erotic stories with one’s spouse with the aim of increasing one’s pleasure? Gracias

All praise be to Allah, and may His blessings and peace be on His last messenger, Muhammad,

One should not read erotic stories, for this ranges from being disliked to being haram, depending on the nature of the story and how one acquired it, and in what context they read it. Before I point out some of the harms associated with this, let me first clarify the following:

1. Sexual gratification is desirable between the spouses. Allah said in the Quran:

“نِسَاؤُكُمْ حَرْثٌ لَّكُمْ فَأْتُوا حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّىٰ شِئْتُمْ وَقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ.”

“Your wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish and do good beforehand for yourselves. And fear Allah.” (Sahih International 2:223)

From this verse, you could deduce the permission of the various sexual positions/ postures. There is also the encouragement of the introductory steps (foreplay) which add the sentimental dimension to the act of intercourse. Finally, there is this reminder of fearing Allah, who should be feared at all times, and whose remembrance should not depart from the heart. One may use all halal means for gratification; they suffice.

2. Most people don’t need to further stimulate their lustful desires. They need to release them in halal ways.
3. For those who have some sexual frigidity or dysfunction, they can utilize other means with the help of their spouses to stimulate their sexual drive. In order for you to enhance your pleasure, you may:

Pay attention to your physical health, for that has an impact on the sexual drive.

Take care of your appearance whether you are the husband or the wife.

Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“إنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَتَزَيَّنَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ, كَمَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَتَزَيَّنَ لِي الْمَرْأَةُ.”

“I like to make myself handsome for my wife just as I would like her to beautify herself for me.”

Make the prescribed supplication before you approach your spouse.

The introductory steps (foreplay) will help transfuse the encounter with emotions and make it a means to growing love and compassion.

All sexual acts are permissible between the spouses as long as:

There is no intercourse during the period. (Anything short of complete intercourse is allowable.)

There is no anal penetration by the penis (sodomy).

There is no consumption of any najasah (blood, urine or feces).

Arousal may be done by various postures and speech made up by either one of you that would not involve any falsehood.

As for reading erotic stories, here are some of their harms:

• Those stories are meant to overstimulate the lustful desires by means of lewdness and obscenity that a believer should not expose himself and his wife to.
• If you acquire those stories through purchase, you would be supporting that industry of commercializing sex and spreading corruption.
• There is an obvious slippery slope here. Reading such stories may open the way for watching erotic pictures, and then porn movies, etc.
• Those stories may include descriptions of women the husband may not find in his wife, resulting in dissatisfaction. The opposite could be true as well.

Finally, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said,

“إِنَّ لِكُلِّ دِينٍ خُلُقًا وَإِنَّ خُلُقَ الْإِسْلَامِ الْحَيَاءُ”

“Verily, every religion has its signature characteristic, and the signature characteristic of Islam is modesty.” (Ibn Majah reported it from Ibn Abbas)

And he (blessings and peace be upon him) said,

“البر ما اطمأنت إليه النفس واطمأن إليه القلب، والإثم ما حاك في النفس وتردد في الصدر وإن أفتاك الناس وأفتوك “

“Righteousness is that with which your heart and soul feel at ease, and sin is that which wavers in the chest and causes you reluctance and discomfort, regardless how many fatwas you get from people.” (Al-Darimy reported it from Wabisah)

May Allah fill your heart with satisfaction and contentment and place compassion and mercy between you and your spouse.