From the Joys of Paradise: Sexual Intercourse

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Ever Merciful…

Allaah, the Most Generous, has promised His believing servants many different rewards in His expansive gardens of Paradise.  Aside from the greatest joy of all, looking at our Magnificent Creator, the residents of Paradise will indulge in various foods an drinks, to the large homes, rivers of pure water, honey, milk, and wine, to the beautiful virgin girls awaiting the personal enjoyment of the men.

Deviant Modernists Second Guess Allaah’s Divine Wisdom

Recently, philosophical attempts have been made to rationalize some of these rewards and second guess the Divine decree of Allaah, as deviants begin picking and choosing what is acceptable from Allaah’s perfect Wisdom and what is not. Some people – affected by a Christian understanding of the Hereafter – have actually begun denying some of the things promised by Allaah in His Book and explained in detail by the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), like continual acts of sexual intercourse with the hoor ‘een (pure virgin maidens) of Paradise.

Christian Influence

According to both modern and ancient Christian misconceptions revolving around the “dirty” and “disgraceful” nature of legal sexual intercourse, they believe that it is not the ambition of an upright person. Based on this, they exonerate their religious leaders above such a lowly concept in this life, and they reject the “repulsive” concept of sexual pleasures in Paradise.  In the Hereafter, they deny any type of sexual intercourse, claiming that Paradise is a “pure place” above such animalistic notions.

Islam Recognizes Human Nature

Islam, on the other hand, is balanced. Our Lord has created us with instincts and inclinations. He has not forbidden people from enjoying themselves in legal intercourse with their spouses in this life, nor has He attached any blame to them for that. He has forbidden harmful acts of transgression like fornication, adultery, and homosexuality, yet He has allowed even the most pious of His servants to indulge in sexual intercourse with their spouses, with no harm or blame associated with that.

In the Hereafter, Allaah has prepared gardens of delight, with sexual partners waiting for the believers.  Women will enjoy the very best and most pleasing acts of sexual intercourse with their handsomely attractive husbands, at the peak of their youth and vigor.  Men will enjoy their wives from this life, in addition to the many voluptuous hoor ‘een (pure virgins) awaiting them.

Sex in Paradise = Tabloid Mentality?

The repeated pleasures of sexual intercourse in Paradise is not a “filthy idea” or a “tabloid” concept, nor is it to be mocked or ridiculed, as the non-Muslims may often do.  Allaah, the Most Wise, calls the believers to Paradise by mentioning descriptions of the beautiful women awaiting them in Paradise. The belief in ongoing, continuous acts of absolutely joyful sexual intercourse in Paradise is something that the entire body of Muslims (scholars and laymen) have always held as unquestionable.

By Allaah’s Permission, this short article provides clear proof of this from Islamic textual evidences, in order to aid those who have been affected by popular speakers who seem to be specialists in opposing the ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus) of the whole Muslim ummah and leading the Muslims into confusion and misguidance!

Authentic Texts on the Topic

In fact, there are many Prophetic narrations from a number of Companions that clearly and unequivicolly affirm the concept of sexual intercourse in Paradise. The following collection of hadeeths and narrations of the Companions and early scholars of Islam proves this fact with abundant clarity.

-1-  Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said:

يُعْطَى المُؤْمِنُ فِي الجَنَّةِ قُوَّةَ كَذَا وَكَذَا مِنَ الجِمَاعِ

“A believer in Paradise will be given the stamina to have sexual intercourse such-and-such (number of times).”

Anas said, “O Messenger of Allaah! (How) will he have the ability to do so?”

He replied:

يُعْطَى قُوَّةَ مِائَةٍ

“He will be given the stamina of one hundred (men).”

Collected by at-Tirmithee (#2536) and others. At-Tirmithee authenticated it, as did Ibn al-Qayyim in Haadee al-Arwaah (p.232) and Al-Albaanee.  At-Tirmithee entitled the chapter: “What Has Been Reported About the Sexual Intercourse of the People in Paradise.” 

-2-  Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that a Jew came to the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) and said, “O Abal-Qaasim! Don’t you presume that the people of Paradise shall eat and drink there?!”

He replied:

بَلَى وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، إِنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ لَيُعْطَى قُوَّةَ مِائَةِ رَجُلٍ فِي الْمَطْعَمِ وَالْمَشْرَبِ وَالشَّهْوَةِ وَالْجِمَاعِ

“Nay, (I swear) by the One in whose Hand is my soul! Surely, one of them will have the stamina of a hundred men with regards to eating, drinking, desires, and sexual intercourse.”

It was collected by Ahmad (4/367, 371) and others with an authentic chain. Ibn al-Qayyim authenticated it in Haadee al-Arwaah (p.187), as did Al-Albaanee in Saheeh at-Targheeb (#3739).

-3-  Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), “O Messenger of Allaah! Are we going to approach our wives (for sex) in Paradise?”

He replied:

إِي وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيُفْضِي فِي الْغَدَاةِ الْوَاحِدَةِ إِلَى مِائَةِ عَذْرَاءَ

“Yes, (I swear) by the One in whose Hand is my soul!  Surely a man will approach one hundred virgins in a single afternoon!”

It was collected by at-Tabaraanee in al-Mu’jam al-Awsat (#718).  ad-Dhiyaa’ al-Maqdisee authenticated it according to the standards of Muslim, as quoted in It-haaf al-Jamaa’ah (3/268) of at-Tuwayjiree.

Some scholars mention that this narration is more correctly attributed to Ibn ‘Abbaas, not Aboo Hurayrah. Refer to al-‘Ilal al-Waaridah of ad-Daaraqutnee (10/30).

In another version of Aboo Hurayrah’s narration:

نَعَمْ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ دَحْماً دَحْماً؛ فَإِذَا قَامَ عَنْهَا رَجَعَتْ مُطَهَّرَةً بِكْرًا

“Yes, (I swear) by the One in whose Hand is my soul, orgasm after orgasm; and when he gets up, she returns to being a pure virgin.”

This version was authenticated by al-Albaanee in Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (#3351).

In another version collected by Is-haaq ibn Raahawayh (#345) and al-Bazzaar (16/243) in their Musnads:

نَعَمْ، بِذَكَرٍ لَا يَمَلُّ، وَفَرْجٍ لَا يُجْفَا، وَشَهْوَةٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ

“Yes, with a penis that does not tire, a vagina that does not dry up, and a desire that does not cease.”

Al-Bazzaar mentions that this version is not authentic, as does al-Haythamee in Majma’ az-Zawaa’id (10/417).  However, it can be supported by the generality of these narrations, as well as the upcoming narration of Aboo Umaamah specifically.

-4-  Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) is also reported to have narrated the previous hadeeth about one hundred virgins in one afternoon, as mentioned.

It was collected by Aboo Ya’laa in his Musnad (#2436). This report appears to have a weak (unauthentic) chain of narration.

-5-  Aboo Umaamah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) was asked if the people of Paradise will indulge in sexual intercourse, and he replied:

نَعَمْ، بِذَكَرٍ لَا يَمَلُّ، وَشَهْوَةٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ دُحْمًا دُحْمًا

“Yes, with a penis that does not tire and desires that do not cease, orgasm after orgasm!” 

It was collected by at-Tabaraanee in his al-Mu’jam al-Kabeer (8/160, 172) and others. Although its chain is weak, Al-Albaanee authenticated it based on support from other narrations in Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (7/1062).

-6-  The scholars of Tafseer (Quranic Exegesis), beginning with the Companions, like ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbaas and ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood, and the Taabi’oon and later scholars, the likes of Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyab, ‘Ikrimah, al-Hasan al-Basree, Qataadah, and many others, have explained the following Verse:

إِنَّ أَصْحابَ الْجَنَّةِ الْيَوْمَ فِي شُغُلٍ فاكِهُونَ

( Verily, the people of Paradise that Day shall be occupied, rejoicing ) [36:55]

They said:Occupied with taking the virginity of virgins (through sexual intercourse).”

Source: Tafseer Ibn Katheer (36:55).

-7-  The four well-known imaams – Aboo Haneefah, Maalik, ash-Shaafi’ee, and Ahmad (may Allaah have Mercy on all of them) – all held the position that the people of Paradise will enjoy sexual intercouse from the many joys of Paradise.

Source: Manaazil al-A’immat al-Arba’ah (p.126) of al-Waa’ith Aboo Zakariyyaa as-Salamaasee (d.550). (Note: This book was one of the first books ever written to identify the points of belief agreed upon by the four imaams.)

-8-  The entire body of the scholars of the Salaf unanimously agreed that the people of Paradise will indulge in sexual intercourse. In fact, some of the scholars declared a person who would reject any one of the textually established pleasures of Paradise to be a disbeliever.

Al-Waa’ith as-Salamaasee (d.550) said:

فمن خالف شيئاً من هذا فقد خرج عن الإسلام بخلافه القرآن والسنة والإجماع

“Anyone who opposes any of these things [from them: sexual intercourse in Paradise] has left Islam, due to his contradiction to the Qur’aan, the Sunnah, and scholarly consensus.”

Source: His book, Manaazil al-A’immat al-Arba’ah (p.126).

And Allaah knows best.

This article was written to help Muslims understand their Religion in light of the widespread deviant teachings of popular figures who reject basic Muslim beliefs.

Compiled by: Moosaa Richardson

33 thoughts on “From the Joys of Paradise: Sexual Intercourse

  1. Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah,

    It has been popular in the media that matyrs get 70 virgins, is that found in authentic texts?
    Jazakallahu khayran.

    • Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. It is authentically reported in Sunan at-Tirmithee (no.1663) that martyrs have six special rewards, one of them being marriage to 72 of al-hoor al-‘een (virgin maidens) in Paradise. Of course, the martyrdom being referred to is in legitimate military enlistment under an established Muslim state, not militias and terrorist groups acting against Islamic principles.

    • In Arabic, a writer named Dr. Anwar ibn Maajid ‘Eshqee. (click here)

      In English, a preacher named Yusuf Estes. (click here)

      i don’t know of any recognized Islamic scholars who have ever made this mistake. In fact, scholarly consensus has been quoted in the article above.

    • Have any of the scholars actually confronted these people? Because they might not change unless someone confronts
      them directly.

      And Allaah knows best.

    • Brother i think u have to put abd In front of your name like. Abdur rahmaan….

      The following question was posed to the great scholar, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have Mercy on him):

      My name is Muhsin*, and a student of knowledge told me that this name was not allowed. He advised me to change my name. What is your opinion, may Allaah reward you with goodness?

      *Muhsin literally means one who does things proficiently, with sincerity to Allaah. It also carries the meaning of one who is kind and graceful to others.

      The shaykh responded, saying:

      There is no problem [with this name], since it is one of the names which can be used [for people], like ‘Azeez (Mighty), Samee’ (one who hears), Haleem (gentle), and their likes. Allaah’s Names are not something forbidden for the people to use, except for those which are exclusive to Him, the Exalted, like:

      al-Khallaaq (the Ever-Creating)
      ar-Razzaaq (the Ever-Providing)
      Maalik al-Mulk (the Owner of the Dominion)
      ar-Rahmaan (the Most Gracious)
      and the likes of these Names.

      As for names which are not exclusive to Him, then a person may take one which suits him, and for Allaah are Names that suit Him. So, a person can be called Haleem, Ra’oof (kind), or Raheem (merciful), since Allaah has described His Prophet, Muhammad (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) as:

      بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
      With the believers, he is kind and merciful [9:128]

  2. As Salamu alaikum,

    Is this the same for women also? Sexual intercourse 100 times?

    Please respond from a sisters aspect and be understanding. Barakallahou fik

  3. Brother Moosa, Whenever we listen a hadith saying about Hur-al-Ayn or the virgins that a man gets in paradise, we always hear women asking whether they get too?
    is there any such question ever reported from the women of the salaf. is it sinful to ask that? and what should we tell them( Eg.our wives) when they ask this. barakallah feekum.

    • Tell them there is what no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no heart has ever considered! Allaahu akbar. Both males and females will have what is befitting for them. Women who had miscarriages will be pulled into the Paradise by their miscarried babies, by the umbilical cords! Those babies had fathers who cried when they lost them, too. Yet, this is appropriately mentioned for the women who are patient, not the men, due to how much more difficult a loss it is to them. So men do not question the decisions of Allaah Rabb al-‘Aalameen, nor should the women. He knows best about us, as He is the One who created us. And Allaah knows best.

  4. Assalmu alaykum

    Baarakallahu feek akhi, is this an exhaustive list of all the authentic hadith related to this topic or are there more?

    • Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. I make no claim that anything I do is exhaustive. These are some narrations that Allaah made easy for me to gather, that’s all.

  5. As’salamu a’laykum.

    Baarak’Allahu Feek, for the beneficial post.

    I just wanted to correct you on a typo.

    -2- Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that a Jew came to the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and gant him peace) and said, “O Abal-Qaasim! Don’t you presume that the people of Paradise shall eat and drink there?!”

    The “r” in grant is missing.

  6. Assalama Aleykom wr wb,

    Jazakallah kheyr for the beneficial post,
    akhi I am a married salafi woman that loves Allah Alhamdulillah…but every time I read the hadiths about the women of paradise and how men (my husband specifically) will enjoy virgins I cant help but feel heart broken, saddened and extremely jealous….I know its because I love my husband and I cant imagine him with other women..it saddens me but I try to dismiss it. sorry for my silliness

    • Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah,

      There will be no bad feelings of jealousy in Paradise, so receive glad tidings. Your jealousy over your husband is a natural human emotion. It is understandable for a woman to be saddened to think of her husband with another woman in this life. However, in the Hereafter you will have the company of your husband, in his top physical shape, romantically and intimately, with joy and satisfaction that no mind has ever imagined! Wait… IF Allaah accepts from you and grants you both Paradise, and may Allaah grant you both Paradise. Wal-hamdulillaah.

  7. Assalamu alaykum , brother I always feel good when I hear hadith discription about hoor al ayn I feel good and motivated to work towards hearafter. One question, does hoor Al ayn have their feeling or they are just programmed to satisfy us ?

  8. My question on marriage validity is removed. I am disappointed. Was the question improper for this site? … [Question truncated by admin]

  9. Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

    If a Muslimah dies as an unmarried woman, would she get a husband in Jannah? Could she also get offspring in Jannah?

    I’m unmarried and so just thought I’d ask. I had nikah but that relationship ended before the walimah even took place.

    I like your website, by the way. JazakAllah khayr.

  10. Hello, I read something that really bothered me. It made me think that not just in this life, but in heaven too women will be used as objects as well. What does this mean? Shouldn’t men busy themselves with glorifying God and enjoying his presence in heaven and the presence of their family who made it into heaven? But instead ‘will be busy deflowering virgins?’ How can you explain this to a Christian who feels rather repulsed by the idea?

    “Verily, the dwellers of Paradise, that Day, will be busy in joyful things” [Yaa-Seen 36:55]

    they said, (it means) they will be busy deflowering virgins. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, according to a report narrated from him, that “busy in joyful things” means listening to stringed instruments. Abu Haatim said: he misheard the phrase iftidaad al-abkaar (deflowering virgins) and thought it was samaa’ al-awtaar (listening to stringed instruments). In fact the correct phrase is iftidaad al-abkaar (deflowering virgins). (Ibn Katheer, 3/564)

    • Quite simply, Allaah provides the most appropriate motivation for His Servants. His Wisdom is above the feelings of people influenced by Christian thought. Such people should genuinely ask themselves: Who am I? And whose wisdom am I second guessing?! قل أأنتم أعلم أم الله “Say: Are you more knowledgeable, or is Allaah?!” [Meaning of 2:140]

    • Salamu Alaykum, as a Muslim Salafi woman, i am simply intrigued by the answer you gave. I do agree with your answer that we should not question Allahs Wisdom. Yet, as a 22 year old woman, i do have the same questions as this person asked. Why are women seen as sexual objects, and men seen as sexual beings, with more wants and needs? Women are sexual beings as much as men, but society stigmatizes women for saying that.

      And Allah has shown in the Quran that Sexual intercourse motivates men to strive for Akhira, i see no problem with that, but can it be said that it does not motivate women?

      Subhana’Allah, maybe i have put forward my question in a wrong way, and if i did may Allah forgive me for that, but this is something i am really eager to understand. I hope you can give me and answer.

    • Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. What is most suitable to the natural inclination of women is having a single husband, while the male is suited to take care of multiple wives. This is from how the All-Wise Creator of the human beings has made them. In the Next Life, the inhabitants of Paradise will have, simply stated, all that they desire. They are not deprived of any joy. See: Quran 41:31, 39:34, 42:22, and 50:35. And Allaah knows best.

  11. Asalamu alaikum. The description of the hoor al ayn is something very motivating Alhamdulilah. Would it be permissible to make dua to Allah to show me the maidens in Jannah or is this from the unseen which we have to wait for until we die.

  12. As-Salaam alaykum wa rahmatullah

    Will the virgins in paradise be hairless as it says in a Hadeeth that the inhabitants of Jannah will be beardless and hairless, will that apply to the females also?

    BaarakaLlahu feekum

  13. “Men will enjoy their wives from this life, in addition to the many voluptuous hoor ‘een (pure virgins) awaiting them.”

    Whats the scriptual evidence that the hoor ‘een are voluptuous Moosa?

    • Voluptuous, the term in question, is defined as: “Suggesting sensual pleasure by fullness and beauty of form; full of delight or pleasure to the senses; conducive to or arising from sensuous or sensual gratification; given to or spent in enjoyment of luxury, pleasure, or sensual gratifications.” Source: Webster’s dictionary

      in Soorah ar-Rahmaan (55:70), Allah describes them as “خيرات حسان” or: good and beautiful. Also, the Arabic word “HOOR” by basic definition means: a young lady of great physical beauty. Also, in Soorah an-Naba’ (78:33), Allah calls them “وكواعب أترابا” (full-breasted maidens of equal age). Read the books of Tafseer about the specific things understood by the Companions, Taabi’oon, and early Salaf about this physical description, and you will find the word, voluptuous, quite an understatement. May Allah adorn us with beneficial knowledge. And Allah knows best.

  14. As-Salaamu alaykum ustaadh Moosa,

    DjazaakeAllahu khairen for sharing this beneficial article which motivates an individual to strive for Jannah. When your knowledge about Jannah and its description increases, your will and your desire for it also increase. May Allah also reward you for refuting the mukhalifeen.

  15. اسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

    Ya Ustaadh, recently I was told that the husband is only required to fulfill his wife’s desires (with regards to intimacy) once in three months. If he does more that that, that is out of kindness and courtesy but it’s not obligatory upon him. Have you heard anything relating to this? If so, could you please share the daleel? برك الله فيكم

    • وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته

      You mean: every four months, and that is connected to a legal complaint and a court case called “eelaa” (abandonment). However, as Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah and others have mentioned: A man must fulfill his wife’s needs for sexual intercourse on an ongoing basis, and Allah knows best. See: A Summary of Islamic Jurisprudence by Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan, vol.2, p.411 (al-Maiman Publishing).

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