What is lawful seclusion (al-khalwa al-shar'iyya)?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The majority of scholars hold that valid seclusion (al- al-ṣaḥīḥah) with the wife has legal implications, but they differ in its definition. The Hanafis believe it is seclusion free from impediments to intercourse (whether real, legal, or natural). The Malikis define it as seclusion that leads to consummation, such as drawing curtains or closing the door. As for the Hanbalis, they consider it seclusion away from a discerning child or an adult, provided that both the husband and wife are capable of intercourse, and that there is no impediment preventing him from it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/53429
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 53429
- 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