THE SCENE: In this passage, from the diary of the Spanish scholar Abu Hamid, a young lady forgoes modesty in order to have a frank and open discussion about the intersection between sex and religion.
THE TEXT: One day, when I was the guest of the sister of this amir, she said to her brother:
“Lying with my husband, he ejaculated in his sleep. Ask this man if I ought to perform the ritual ablutions.”
I was amazed and said to the amir: “Tell her the following. A woman of the Ansar asked the Messenger of God –may God bless him and save him! – this very question, and the Prophet replied:
“If you see water, wash yourself.”
Then the Messenger of God added – may God bless him and save him! – “How excellent are the women of the Ansar! Modesty does not prevent them from making a study of the law if that will lead them to a more perfect observation of their faith.”
– The Travels of Abu Hamid al-Andalusi al-Gharnati, 12th Century AD
