What would motivate marrying a barren woman with the intention of providing for her and alleviating her suffering, even though society does not prefer a barren woman and Islamic law recommends marrying a fertile one?
Society's treatment of a barren woman does not represent a general phenomenon of contempt and disparagement, for marriage is a natural right that includes both the fertile and the infertile, and the purposes of marriage are manifold, not limited to procreation. Barrenness is a matter decreed by Allah for both men and women by His wisdom, and objecting to it is a sign of lack in religion or bad character. The duty towards the infertile is to strengthen contentment with Allah's decree, for in the prevention of offspring there may be a good that man does not know. And despite the desirability of marrying a fertile woman, this does not preclude marrying an infertile one; for many general texts encourage marriage and aim to lower the gaze and protect one's chastity, and the Prophet married women who did not bear children except Khadijah and Mariyah.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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