What is the ruling on a wife seeking divorce because she refuses to engage in a legitimate sexual relationship with her husband, who has not yet consummated the marriage, and what should she do if he refuses to divorce her or marry another?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The most important purpose of marriage is family stability, and this is achieved by overlooking mistakes and each party recognizing the other's rights. It is not wise to rush into divorce for the slightest reason, as the has forbidden seeking divorce without a legitimate religious justification.
If the problem cannot be resolved and the wife dislikes her husband and fears falling short in her duties towards him, she may request a khul‘ (divorce by mutual consent) in exchange for compensation she pays to him. If the husband refuses, she may refer the matter to the court.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/174807
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 174807
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy