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What is the ruling regarding a committed man's feelings of inclination to resemble women and wear their clothes? Is he sinful merely for the thoughts that may lead to the emission of semen (manī) or pre-seminal fluid (madhī)? What is the shar'ī (Islamic legal) solution for this situation? Is it permissible for him to inform his wife about this matter after marriage or to practice imitation with her consent?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The Sharia prohibits men from imitating women and vice versa, considering it a grave sin. It is narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) "cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men." And from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him): "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed the man who wears women's clothes and the woman who wears men's clothes." This sexual deviance is classified by doctors as "fetishism" or "objectophilia," and those afflicted by it should consult a psychiatrist. They should also remember Allah's wrath, seek His help, marry to overcome these inclinations, fill their time with acts of worship, fast, lower their gaze from forbidden things, and divert their thoughts from this deviance.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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