Publisher's Synopsis
Islam does not neglect one of the most private moments in an individual's life - namely, the sexual relationship between a husband and wife. Detailed and explicit rulings regarding sexual behavior can be found in the Qur'an, Sunna and works of classical scholars. It is common to find scholars dedicating whole chapters in their works to this delicate, yet important, subject. Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali's Ihya Uloom al-Din, Al-Tibb al-Nabawi by Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya, Imam Ibn Qudama's Al-Mughni, Imam Nasa'i's Ishrat al-Nisa', Imam Abu 'l-Faraj Ibn al-Jawzi's Sayd al-Khatir, the Ghunyat al-Talibin by Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani and countless other classical works deal with this topic in some detail. The major reference works in all four Sunni Schools of Islamic law (madhhabs) also discuss many aspects of sexual relations and what married couples may and may not do.
The reason for this is that a healthy sexual relationship is absolutely vital in marriage. Scholars today generally agree that one of the primary reasons for failed marriages is failed sexual lives. The root cause of marital discord is often sexual dissatisfaction, with problems in the bedroom often leading to unhappiness, frustration, and, at times, even divorce. Among the objectives of marriage is to satisfy one's sexual needs in a lawful manner, and if either spouse is unfulfilled, the temptation to look elsewhere can become overwhelming. Often, a spouse will refuse to engage in a form of sexual activity, mistakenly believing it to be unlawful, which could easily sour their relationship. It is therefore of key importance for married couples to learn and understand the teachings of Islam regarding sexual behavior. Unfortunately, some Muslims consider any discussion on sex to be offensive and a breach of religious propriety (adab) and modesty (haya), unaware that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) himself explained this subject in considerable detail. Several hadiths describe how the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) taught men and women matters relating to sexual relations. In conclusion, there is nothing wrong with teaching, studying and learning the rules of Shari'ah regarding sexual relations with one's spouse. However, one should be careful not to violate the spirit of Islam of modesty, decency and bashfulness. Proper care should be taken of the language used and examples given. It would be wise that male students are taught by a male teacher, and female students by a female teacher. If these matters are taken care off, not only will this be allowed, it would fulfil a great need of the time, Insha Allah. And Allah Knows Best
