What is the religious ruling on a wife remaining with her husband who is unable to have children, and is it permissible for her to seek a divorce in order to find another husband with whom she can conceive, or to return to her country to work and occupy her time?

Firstly: Infertility is considered a defect by some jurists, which grants the wife the right to annul the marriage if she was unaware of it before the marriage. Her right is forfeited if she accepts it.

Secondly: A woman is not permitted to seek divorce or khul' (a form of divorce initiated by the wife) except for a valid excuse, such as being harmed by the inability to conceive, or fearing temptation for herself by remaining in a land of disbelief while her husband refuses to return to a Muslim land, or fearing that she cannot fulfill her husband's rights. Khul' is permissible if the woman fears she cannot fulfill her husband's rights due to her strong dislike for him.

Thirdly: Mere infertility is not considered a justification for seeking divorce or khul'. The void can be addressed through suitable activities such as teaching Muslim children, memorizing the Quran, engaging in handicrafts at home, in addition to joining Islamic centers, seeking righteous companionship, and pursuing Islamic knowledge.