67/97. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5209 — Coitus Interruptus and Revelation
The coitus interruptus
Hadith About Coitus Interruptus While Revelation Was Coming Down
Sahih Bukhari : 5209
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5209
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ عَمْرٌو أَخْبَرَنِي عَطَاءٌ، سَمِعَ جَابِرًا، رضى الله عنه قَالَ كُنَّا نَعْزِلُ وَالْقُرْآنُ يَنْزِلُ. وَعَنْ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ كُنَّا نَعْزِلُ عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالْقُرْآنُ يَنْزِلُ.
Jabir Narrated from:
We used to practice coitus interrupt us while the Qur'an was being revealed. Jabir added: We used to practice coitus interrupt us during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) while the Qur'an was being Revealed.
[1] Though the Qur'ān was still being revealed, our practice of coitus interruptus was not prohibited by it.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5208, 5209In-book reference : Book 67, Hadith 142USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 136
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5209
This hadith about coitus interruptus repeats the point that Jabir made: they practiced al-‘azl while the Qur’an was being revealed. He also reports that they did so during the lifetime of Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). The core topic is family planning in the form of withdrawal, but the hadith itself is a short report, not a full legal chapter. For that reason, the explanation should not add conditions that are not in the text. It helps readers understand the hadith by noting the exact wording: the companions practiced it, and Jabir connected the timing with revelation. This is why many people search for “azl hadith while Quran was revealed” when looking for this narration.
What we learn from this hadith
- The practice mentioned is al-‘azl, also called coitus interruptus.
- Jabir connects the practice with the period of Qur’anic revelation.
- The hadith should be read with care because it is short.
- It gives a reported practice, not every detail of a modern ruling.
