Why Write About Sex?

Akande’s share his reasons for writing about sensual pleasure with AboutIslam.

“My calling for writing about female pleasure stems from my desire to benefit people long after I leave this world. We all have callings in life. Some are easy to follow, some are difficult. Some people follow their calling, some ignore it. It’s up to you whether you want to listen and follow your calling.

For me, my calling for erotology was relatively easy to follow. I was already interested in the subject from reading the Kama Sutra and erotic Muslim literature in my late teens.

Aware there was a lack of contemporary erotology books on female pleasure, I began writing as I believed that people would be interested and benefit from it as much as I had.

In my opinion, the topic of female pleasure doesn’t receive as much attention as it deserves, especially the contributions of Muslims and Africans on women’s gratification. Islam gave women the right to orgasm 1,400 years ago. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught men the importance of prolonged foreplay for female satisfaction. East Africans acknowledged female ejaculation hundreds of years before the west ‘discovered’ the G-spot and the female ejaculate.

Not only this, but Muslims of the past acknowledged female desire and Muslim women spoke freely about their right to sexual fulfillment.

The repression of some Muslim women is a cultural issue, not a religious issue.

Hopefully, my work can help to address some of these misconceptions about the religion of Islam and the intellectual contribution of African peoples.

Unfortunately, many Muslims believe that if a woman speaks or writes about sex or desire, she must be a wh*re. This type of attitude silences women from speaking publicly or writing about topics related to sex or desire. Things will not change unless more Muslims address it.

Rather than speaking about the issue, I prefer to put pen to paper. People seem to respect the written word more than the spoken word. Also, books outlive public speaking.

I am well aware that some people will not appreciate my work or disagree with it, but it’s not for everyone. Those who want to read it can read it, and those who don’t want to read it, shouldn’t read it. I can’t please everyone, and my intention was never to gain everyone’s approval.”