🏡 Rights & responsibilities · #10
The husband neglects his wife's intimate needs: what is the ruling and what can she do?
A husband who deliberately neglects his wife's intimate needs (nafkah batin) without excuse has neglected her right and must repent and make amends.
The Prophet ﷺ reminded that a wife has rights over her husband, and the Qur'an limits an oath to abstain from one's wife (ila') to four months only. The wife is encouraged to speak frankly and kindly, get a medical check-up if there is a physical problem, and seek counselling. If it persists and causes harm, the wife may go to the Syariah Court; the absence of nafkah batin for a certain period can be a ground for fasakh under the state Enactment. See Etiquette between husband and wife.
The Prophet ﷺ reminded that a wife has rights over her husband, and the Qur'an limits an oath to abstain from one's wife (ila') to four months only. The wife is encouraged to speak frankly and kindly, get a medical check-up if there is a physical problem, and seek counselling. If it persists and causes harm, the wife may go to the Syariah Court; the absence of nafkah batin for a certain period can be a ground for fasakh under the state Enactment. See Etiquette between husband and wife.
Difference among the schools. Shafi'i: as a matter of court ruling the husband is obliged only once in the marriage, but religiously he is required to meet his wife's needs. Hanbali: obligatory at least once every four months. Maliki: obligatory to the extent of removing harm to the wife.
Sources
Surah al-Baqarah 2:226Surah an-Nisa' 4:19Sahih al-Bukhari 1975 (the hadith 'your wife has a right over you')