Taboo and Faith: Decoding the Cultural Roots of Saudi Arabia’s Strict Ban on Adult Products

In an era of global integration and intercultural exchange, Saudi Arabia’s “zero-tolerance” policy toward adult products stands out conspicuously. The country not only classifies adult products as prohibited items banned from import, production, and sale but also imposes severe penalties on individuals carrying or using such goods—ranging from heavy fines and confiscation to imprisonment and deportation—forming a comprehensive ban system. This prohibition is not a temporary policy measure but a value choice deeply rooted in Saudi Arabia’s cultural soil, shaped by the interplay of its religious beliefs, traditional customs, social structure, and cultural identity. Delving into the cultural roots of this ban not only helps understand Saudi Arabia’s unique social governance logic but also offers insights into how religion and culture shape a nation’s social norms and lifestyles. This article, spanning 3,000 words, systematically analyzes the cultural roots of Saudi Arabia’s strict ban on adult products from three dimensions—religious belief as the core guide, traditional social structure as ethical support, and cultural identity as boundary defense—integrating historical context, social cases, and cultural phenomena.

I. Religious Belief: The Taboo Core in Cultural Genes

Saudi Arabia is a country with Islam as its state religion. Islamic law (Shariah) serves not only as the foundation of the legal system but also as the core criterion of the entire social culture. The primary cultural root of the strict ban on adult products lies in their violation of the taboo bottom line of sexual ethics in Islamic beliefs and their contradiction with the lifestyle and values advocated by religious doctrines.

(1) The Sanctified Definition of Sex in Islamic Law

In Islamic cultural cognition, sex is not merely a physiological need but a sacred right bestowed by Allah, whose exercise must adhere to strict religious norms. The Quran, the core scripture of Islam, explicitly confines sex within the framework of legitimate marital relationships, emphasizing that “the purposes of sex are procreation, maintaining conjugal affection, and avoiding promiscuity.” The scripture repeatedly prohibits acts such as “adultery” and “lechery,” regarding sexual expression outside marriage as a violation of Allah’s will. Even within marriage, sexual behavior must comply with the principles of “naturalness and moderation.” Religious authorities generally argue that the core function of adult products is to “deliberately stimulate sexual desire and pursue excessive physical pleasure,” which conflicts with the “sanctity and purposefulness of sex” in Islam—it degrades sex from a “sacred marital responsibility” to “pure personal sensory satisfaction,” undermining the sexual ethical order advocated by the religion.

The Wahhabi sect, the mainstream sect in Saudi Arabia, interprets religious doctrines more strictly. This sect emphasizes “returning to the pure faith of the Prophet’s era” and opposes any “innovative acts” that may deviate from doctrines. In Wahhabi doctrinal interpretation, adult products are classified as “heretical inventions against nature” because they attempt to alter or enhance human natural physiological responses through artificial means, which is deemed a challenge to the order created by Allah. The Council of Senior Scholars, Saudi Arabia’s highest religious authority, has issued a special religious ruling (fatwa) clearly stating: “Adult products are tools that induce lust and corrupt morality. Their existence will lead believers astray and undermine social purity, and thus must be fully prohibited.” This religious ruling not only has legal binding force but also penetrates into the cultural cognition of every believer through religious education and Friday sermon lectures, making “rejecting adult products” an integral part of religious faith.

(2) Cultural Advocacy of “Asceticism” and “Moderation Principle”

Islam advocates a lifestyle of “moderation and self-restraint” and opposes “hedonism” that excessively pursues physical pleasure. In Saudi Arabia’s religious culture, “asceticism” does not negate normal physiological needs but emphasizes the restraint and regulation of desires, encouraging believers to devote more energy to religious practice, family responsibilities, and social welfare. As a tool for “enhancing sensory pleasure,” adult products are regarded as a symbol of “hedonism,” running counter to the spirit of self-restraint advocated by religion.

This rejection of hedonism is evident throughout Saudi Arabia’s cultural life. For example, the country prohibits all recreational activities that may trigger “indulgent desires” such as alcoholic beverages and gambling, and imposes strict moral norms on dress and behavior in public places. The core goal is to build a “pure and restrained” social environment. In such a cultural context, adult products are naturally seen as “a flood of beasts eroding social morality”—religious leaders warn the public through sermons that the spread of adult products will make people indulge in physical pleasure, neglect religious faith and family responsibilities, and ultimately lead to social moral decline and promiscuity. This cultural cognition makes the prohibition of adult products an inevitable choice to safeguard the purity of religious faith, and also makes believers innately repel and abhor such items.

(3) The Solidification of Taboo Concepts Through Religious Education

Saudi Arabia’s education system is centered on religious education. From childhood, religious doctrines become the main force shaping individual values. In primary and secondary school education, Quran interpretation and basic Islamic law are compulsory courses. Students are repeatedly taught “what acts are permitted by Allah and what are prohibited,” including the rejection of “items that violate sexual ethics.” Textbooks explicitly classify adult products as “forbidden items,” equating them with drugs and pornographic publications, and emphasizing that contact with such items is a “sign of moral degradation.”

In addition to school education, family and religious venue education also play a reinforcing role. In Saudi Arabian families, parents instill religious taboo concepts in their children from an early age, teaching them to “uphold moral bottom lines and stay away from all items that violate doctrines”; mosques, as core venues for religious activities, continuously strengthen believers’ cognition of taboos through weekly sermon lectures and religious courses. This all-round and regular religious education embeds the concept that “adult products are taboo” deeply in the hearts of every Saudi, becoming an unconscious cultural instinct. Even the younger generation, although exposed to Western culture through the Internet, mostly adhere to traditional taboo concepts under the long-term influence of religious education.

II. Traditional Social Structure: The Ethical Support of Cultural Order

Saudi Arabia’s traditional social structure is centered on the “clan” and guided by “collectivism,” forming a unique social ethical order. This social structure emphasizes that individual interests are subordinate to clan and social interests, and individual behavioral choices must conform to the ethical norms of the clan and society. The strict prohibition of adult products is closely related to the ethical concepts advocated by this traditional social structure, as they are deemed a potential threat to clan honor and social order.

(1) The Ethical Concept of Clan Honor First

In Saudi Arabia’s traditional society, the clan is the basic unit of society. An individual’s behavior not only represents themselves but is also closely linked to the honor of the entire clan. The core of clan honor is “purity,” including the moral character, marital status, and behavior of clan members, among which “purity of sexual ethics” is an important component. If a clan member is found using or possessing adult products, it will be regarded as a sign of “moral corruption,” which not only affects the individual’s status within the clan but also brings shame to the entire clan, and may even lead to ostracism by other clans.

This ethical concept of “clan honor binding” places enormous social pressure on individuals when facing adult products. For example, in rural areas of Saudi Arabia, clan elders have absolute say in the behavior of clan members. Those who violate sexual ethical norms may face internal clan punishments, such as deprivation of inheritance rights or expulsion from the clan. Even in more internationalized cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, the concept of clan honor remains deeply rooted. Many families take the initiative to monitor the behavior of family members to prevent “acts that harm clan honor.” Under the influence of this ethical concept, adult products are not only a personal taboo but also a clan taboo, and no one is willing to risk damaging clan honor for personal needs.

(2) The Cultural Extension of Gender Segregation System

Saudi Arabia’s traditional society implements a strict gender segregation system, which originated from Islamic concepts of protecting women’s chastity and has evolved into an ingrained cultural custom over time. Under this system, men and women are strictly separated in public places, and women’s behavior is subject to numerous restrictions. The core goal is to “protect women’s purity and avoid improper contact between men and women.”

The existence of adult products is considered a potential challenge to the gender segregation system. On one hand, adult products are regarded as a symbol of “women actively pursuing sexual satisfaction,” which conflicts with the traditional social perception of women’s gender roles as “passive and modest.” In Saudi Arabia’s traditional gender concepts, women’s sexual needs are deemed “shameful and need to be suppressed,” and women actively pursuing sexual satisfaction is considered “immoral and inappropriate.” On the other hand, the circulation of adult products may break the boundaries of gender segregation—their production, sale, and purchase all require contact and communication between men and women, which violates the traditional social ethical norm of “no intimate contact between men and women.” Therefore, prohibiting adult products is not only a defense of sexual ethics but also a protection of the traditional gender segregation system, representing the adherence of the traditional social structure to cultural order.

(3) The Restriction of Individual Freedom by Collectivism

Saudi Arabia’s social ethics are centered on “collectivism,” emphasizing that social interests take precedence over individual interests, and individual freedom and rights must be exercised within the framework of social ethics. In this cultural concept, “individual acts that may have a negative impact on society should be prohibited.” The strict prohibition of adult products stems from the perception that they pose a potential threat to collective interests.

Religious leaders and social elites generally believe that the spread of adult products will lead to social moral decline and trigger a series of social problems such as extramarital affairs, sexual crimes, and family breakdown, ultimately harming the interests of the entire society. For example, they argue that adult products will make people lose interest in normal marital sexual life, thereby affecting conjugal affection and increasing the divorce rate; at the same time, they will stimulate people’s lust, increase the risk of extramarital affairs, and undermine social purity. This recognition that “individual behavior affects collective interests” has made the prohibition of adult products a social consensus. In Saudi Arabian society, individual freedom is strictly restricted within the scope of not harming collective interests or violating social ethics. As items “that may endanger social interests,” adult products are naturally excluded from individual freedom.

III. Cultural Identity: The Cultural Choice of Defending Boundaries

As one of the core birthplaces of Islamic civilization, Saudi Arabia possesses a strong sense of cultural identity and pride. Against the backdrop of globalization, Saudi Arabia faces the impact of Western culture. To safeguard its cultural independence and purity, the country has adopted a series of measures to resist the erosion of foreign cultures, and prohibiting adult products is an important manifestation of this effort. Adult products are regarded as products of Western “sexual liberation” culture, and banning them is not only a restriction on a type of commodity but also an adherence to its own cultural identity.

(1) Vigilance and Rejection of Western “Sexual Liberation” Culture

Since the 20th century, the Western “sexual liberation” movement has emerged, emphasizing sexual freedom and individualism, which has impacted traditional sexual ethical concepts. This cultural trend has spread globally through the Internet, film and television works, and international trade. Saudi Arabia maintains a high degree of vigilance against Western “sexual liberation” culture, regarding it as a representative of “decadent and degenerate” culture that will erode the purity of Islamic culture and undermine the traditional social order.

In Saudi Arabian cultural cognition, adult products are a materialized embodiment of Western “sexual liberation” culture—they emphasize personal sexual satisfaction while neglecting the sanctity and purposefulness of sex, forming a sharp opposition to Islamic sexual ethical concepts. The Saudi Arabian government and religious institutions have repeatedly stated publicly that they will “resolutely resist the erosion of Western decadent culture and safeguard the purity of Islamic culture.” Prohibiting adult products is a specific action of this cultural resistance. For example, Saudi customs implement strict inspections on items suspected of being adult products, not only banning imports through formal channels but also cracking down severely on products entering through hidden channels such as smuggling and mail. The core goal is to prevent Western “sexual liberation” culture from infiltrating Saudi society through commodity dissemination.

(2) Upholding the “Purity” of Islamic Culture

“Purity” is one of the core values of Saudi Arabia’s Islamic culture, manifested in religious beliefs, social life, moral norms, and other aspects. Islamic culture holds that social purity is the foundation for realizing religious faith and maintaining social stability, and any thing that may contaminate social purity should be prohibited. As “commercial items directly related to sex,” the existence of adult products is itself regarded as a contamination of social purity.

In Saudi Arabian culture, “sex” is considered a highly private topic that cannot be publicly discussed. Any public expression or commercialization related to sex is deemed “shameful.” The production, sale, and circulation of adult products inevitably involve the publicization and commercialization of sex, which conflicts with the Islamic cultural concept of “sexual shame.” For example, in Saudi Arabian media, any advertisements or content related to sex are prohibited; in public places, people do not discuss topics related to sex. As “materialized commodities of sex,” the public circulation of adult products will break this cultural norm of “sexual shame” and contaminate social purity. Therefore, prohibiting adult products is an inevitable choice for Saudi Arabia to uphold the “purity” of Islamic culture.

(3) Safeguarding and Inheriting Cultural Independence

Saudi Arabia has a long tradition of Islamic culture, which is the core of its national identity. Against the backdrop of globalization, many countries face the risk of cultural homogenization. To safeguard its cultural independence, Saudi Arabia has adopted a policy of “protecting local culture and resisting the erosion of foreign cultures.” Prohibiting adult products is a specific manifestation of this policy.

The Saudi Arabian government vigorously promotes local Islamic culture and strengthens public cultural identity through various channels such as law, education, and media. For example, in education, it increases the proportion of Islamic culture and Arab history courses; in media, it broadcasts a large number of programs promoting Islamic culture; in social life, it encourages the public to abide by traditional cultural customs. At the same time, the government imposes strict restrictions on foreign commodities and cultural products that may impact local culture, with adult products being a typical representative. By prohibiting such foreign commodities “contrary to local culture,” Saudi Arabia maintains the purity of its local culture and ensures the inheritance and development of Islamic culture.

IV. The Practical Manifestations and Social Impacts of Cultural Roots

The cultural roots of Saudi Arabia’s strict ban on adult products are not only reflected at the conceptual level but also penetrate into all aspects of social life through legal policies, social supervision, and public behavior, forming a comprehensive cultural practice.

At the legal policy level, Saudi Arabia has transformed religious doctrines and traditional ethics into clear legal provisions, forming a complete ban system of “import prohibition, production prohibition, sales prohibition, and usage supervision.” For example, the Saudi Customs Law classifies adult products as “harmful items prohibited from import,” alongside drugs and pornographic publications; the Commercial Activities Law prohibits the production and sale of any goods that violate Islamic law and public morality; the Criminal Code stipulates severe penalties for the illegal production, sale, and carrying of adult products. The formulation of these legal provisions is essentially the institutionalization of cultural roots, transforming religious and traditional ethics into mandatory social norms.

At the social supervision level, Saudi Arabia has formed a triple supervision system of “government supervision + religious police + social supervision.” Government departments such as customs and police crack down on illegally circulating adult products through strict inspections and law enforcement; the Mutawa (religious police), as a special force maintaining religious order, has the right to investigate “acts suspected of violating morality”; social supervision achieves full-range monitoring of individual behavior through neighborhood reports and clan supervision. This strict social supervision leaves almost no room for adult products to exist in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the profound impact of cultural roots on social governance.

At the public behavior level, the people of Saudi Arabia generally abide by the cultural norm of “staying away from adult products.” Both local citizens and foreigners are well aware that adult products are taboo items and will not touch them easily. Even with the popularization of the Internet today, although some young people have access to relevant information through the network, most still adhere to traditional cultural concepts under the multiple influences of religious beliefs, clan pressure, and social ethics. This conscious behavioral choice is the best proof that cultural roots have taken deep root in people’s hearts.

V. Conclusion: The Essence of the Ban Under Cultural Roots

Saudi Arabia’s strict ban on adult products is essentially a cultural choice, whose deep roots lie in the triple role of religious beliefs, traditional social structure, and cultural identity. Religious beliefs provide the core taboo foundation for the ban, defining adult products as taboo items that violate Allah’s will and deviate from the religious path; traditional social structure provides ethical support for the ban, strengthening the rejection of adult products through ethical concepts such as clan honor, gender segregation, and collectivism; cultural identity provides the motivation for defending boundaries, regarding adult products as representatives of Western cultural erosion, and banning them to safeguard the purity and independence of local Islamic culture.

This ban is not a synonym for “conservatism” or “backwardness,” but a rational choice made by Saudi Arabia based on its own cultural traditions. In the cultural context of Saudi Arabia, prohibiting adult products is a necessary means to safeguard the purity of religious faith, social ethical order, and cultural independence, embodying its unique social governance model and cultural values. Understanding this ban requires breaking away from the binary opposition of “freedom vs. prohibition,” and respecting Saudi Arabia’s unique cultural background without simply judging it by Western concepts of “freedom” and “openness.” Instead, we should respect cultural diversity and the social governance path chosen by each country based on its own cultural traditions.

In today’s increasingly globalized world, cultural diversity remains an important feature of the world. Saudi Arabia’s strict ban on adult products reminds us that profound differences exist between different cultures. These differences stem from different histories, religions, and traditions, and there is no hierarchy of superiority or inferiority. Only by respecting cultural diversity and understanding the roots and logic of different cultures can we achieve equal dialogue and harmonious coexistence between different cultures. For Saudi Arabia, this ban will exist for a long time because it is rooted in its cultural genes. As long as its religious beliefs, traditional social structure, and cultural identity do not undergo fundamental changes, the overall pattern of the ban will not waver.