Is It Permissible For A Male To Get A Massage From Another Male?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

I got a massage from a male who uncovered my buttocks and massaged them. It was part of the routine and without any sexual desire. Was this a major sin?

Answer

I pray you are well.

This type of massage is not permissible. You should repent from it and politely advise him to do the same. Just as it is not permissible to look at the area between the navel and the knees of another male it is not permissible to touch that area. [Marghinani, al-Hidaya]

Major sins and minor sins are distinguished by there being a specific punishment in this life or the next mentioned about them. I don’t know of any such narrations on this matter, so I believe it may be a minor sin. Still, that term should not delude us into having a carefree attitude towards them.

Turn to Allah, repent, and ask for forgiveness. Don’t repeat the mistake, and you’ll be fine, God willing. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “He who repents from a sin and he who has no sin are the same.” [Ibn Maja]

May Allah protect us from what He hates.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.