What is shahwat al-farj (sexual desire)?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Oct 24, 2026
The sexual desire is an innate instinct that Allah instilled for the wisdom of preserving the human species. Islam legislated marriage to fulfill this desire and forbade adultery (zina) and everything that leads to it, in order to preserve the family and society. Islam has blocked all paths leading to zina by prohibiting private seclusion with a non- woman, entering upon women, and displaying adornment and showing off (tabarruj). It also commanded lowering the gaze, because, like all desires, it is a double-edged sword: whoever uses it in what is lawful will find it good for them and a guarantee for entering Paradise.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/43120
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 43120
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy