What is the difference between sexual intercourse and fornication/adultery?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Al-wat’ (sexual intercourse) is the insertion of the glans penis, or its equivalent, into any orifice. As for zina (fornication/adultery), it is the insertion of the glans penis, or its equivalent, into a human orifice without marriage, or rightful possession (milk ), or شبهة ( - misconception/doubt that makes the act permissible).
Thus, al-wat’ is more general than zina, as it includes sexual intercourse through marriage, rightful possession, and shubha, in addition to sodomy and bestiality.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/50291
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 50291
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- . 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.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy