Search In Fatwa

Recently married and discovered her husband is impotent

Question

I recently married, 6 weeks and my found on our wedding night my husband is impotent. He is a sweet and kind man, I thing, and although it is difficult I feel I can live with it but if it causes me fitnah what should I do? He says he didn't know he had this problem as he was divorced for 3 years at the age of 52. We are trying to sort it through the doctor but if nothing change what should I do? Do I have the right for divorce or must it be Khulah?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we advise you to be patient with your husband, especially as you mentioned that he has some good qualities. You should help him in seeking treatment and consulting a doctor, as it could be a physical or psychological problem which requires treatment.

We hope that Allaah will make his treatment easy, and both of you should supplicate Allaah as much as possible. If the treatment is of no avail and you fear to be afflicted and harmed, then you may seek divorce. Divorce might be good for you, as Allaah says (what means): {But if they separate [by divorce], Allaah will enrich each [of them] from His abundance. And ever is Allaah Encompassing and Wise.} [Quran 4: 130]

If he accepts to divorce you, then all perfect praise be to Allaah, otherwise you can pay him some money in return for the divorce, and this is what is called Khul'.

If he again refuses to divorce you, you can take the case to an Islamic foundation or organization to remove the harm from you.

Allaah Knows best.

Related Fatwa