Ruling On Reading The Second Sex
Wa Alaikum Assalam, Yes, it is permissible to read a book like The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir. In Islam, reading and engaging with ideas — even those that challenge religious or social norms — is not prohibited in itself. Exposure to different philosophies does not equal endorsement. What matters is intention and intellectual stability. If you are reading to understand, analyze, or broaden your perspective, there is nothing sinful about that. As a general guideline, Islamic scholarship distinguishes between: • Material that is purely obscene and meant to arouse desires — this should be avoided. • Content that directly promotes disbelief with the intention of mocking or attacking faith — this requires caution and a strong grounding in one’s own beliefs. The key principle is that reading something does not automatically mean you accept it. Muslims historically engaged with Greek philosophy, other religions, and opposing viewpoints without considering mere exposure sinful. So you may read such a book. Just maintain awareness, reflect critically, and measure ideas against your own moral and religious framework. If you ever feel that something is shaking your foundations in a confusing way rather than helping you think clearly, that’s when it’s wise to pause and seek guidance.
Yes, I agree — it really depends on the person. The issue is not simply the presence of sexual discussions in a book. As you mentioned, if they are presented academically and analytically, that is very different from content meant to arouse desire. We study reproduction and sexuality in biology classes too, and it doesn’t automatically lead to anything inappropriate. Context and mindset matter. Some teenagers today are already exposed to far more explicit material online. So sometimes it’s not just about age, but about maturity, self-control, and how the reader processes information. Age can be a factor, but mindset and emotional stability matter more. Being aware of topics related to sexuality is not inherently wrong. It becomes problematic when it is approached without dignity, respect, or boundaries. These subjects should be handled thoughtfully and privately, not casually or for stimulation. So if someone is reading such a book with a mature mindset, intellectual curiosity, and self-control, there is no issue. The key is intention, context, and personal readiness.
The Quran discusses the matter of sex, and it is not necessary to read it after marriage. Any book can be read unless it is solely to promote obscenity.
Shariah did not list all the haram. Most of them are left to human nature. It is not personal preference, human nature as a whole that determines what is haram, for example, the Quran does not guide us on what insects are haram.