Is it considered an ila (oath of abstinence) if a man swears he will abandon his wife in bed for more than four months if she returns to plucking her eyebrows?
Plucking the eyebrows is forbidden and a grave sin. If a husband swears not to have sexual intercourse with his wife for less than four months, this is considered ila' (a vow of abstinence). If he does not approach her until the period expires, there is no penalty on him. However, if he has intercourse with her during this period, he must pay an expiation for breaking an oath (kaffarat yamin). If he swears to abandon her in bed if she plucks her eyebrows, he is a mu'li (one who makes an ila' vow), and the period of ila' is counted from the time she plucks them. If four months pass, he is obliged to return to sexual intercourse. If he refuses, they are to be separated, unless the wife agrees. If he has intercourse with her before the four months expire, he must pay an expiation for breaking an oath.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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