How should a married couple be intimate?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In principle, husband and wife are permitted to glance at any part of each other's bodies, including the private parts. This can be understood from the following hadith.

Translation: Bahz bin Hakim narrates that my father narrated to me from my grandfather, who said: 'I said: "O Messenger of Allah! Regarding our 'Awrah, what of it must we cover and, what of it may we leave?" He said: "Protect your 'Awrah except for your wife or what your right hand possesses. (Tirmidhi: 2769)

However, despite the permissibility, it is considered from superior manners and modesty to cover one's nakedness—even during intercourse generally. It is stated in the same hadith:

‏Translation: I said: "What about a man when he is alone?" He said: "Allah is most deserving of being shy from Him.

It is thus advisable that the couple place a cover or sheet over themselves during intercourse.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mirza-Zain Baig

Student - Darul Iftaa

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.