What is the religious ruling on a wife refusing her husband after the marriage contract (aqd), but before the consummation (dukhul) is announced, for fear of an unexpected pregnancy, and how should she deal with this and conceal the matter from her family, especially since she and her husband engaged in forbidden foreplay before the contract?

Firstly: If the legal marriage contract is complete, the spouses are permitted to enjoy each other, even through kissing that leads to ejaculation, as long as it is not sexual intercourse.

Secondly: Foreplay during Ramadan does not necessitate expiation even if it leads to ejaculation. If it leads to the emission of semen, the fast of that day is invalidated, and repentance is obligatory along with making up only one day. However, if semen is not emitted, the fast is valid.

Thirdly: What the husband did by engaging in intercourse before the announced consummation is a clear mistake. He must fulfill the agreement to postpone the consummation, based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "The conditions most worthy of fulfillment are those by which you make intimate relations lawful." Scholars have given fatwas permitting a man to enjoy his wife after the marriage contract and before consummation, but intercourse is disliked due to the risks and potential for ill suspicion if the wife becomes pregnant before the agreed-upon consummation.

Fourthly: All contact leading to intercourse must cease immediately. The husband must expedite the announcement of consummation, even if it means incurring debts. If he is unable to do so, he must inform the family of the matter, as it holds great benefit for the wife in case of divorce or death.