Dissolution of Marriage if Husband Refuses to Have Children

By Mufti Taqi Usmani
Posted: 11 Safar 1424, 13 April 2003


Q.) If a couple is married for 7 to 8 years and the husband refuses to have children, is this a valid reason for the wife to request separation and can a group of Scholars separate them based on this? I would kindly like to request the reply to be concurred by Sayyidna Mufti Taqi Uthmani.

A.) The husband cannot take contraceptive measures without the permission of his wife. He is not allowed in Shariah to do so unless the wife is agreeable to it. This rule of Shariah must be explained to the husband. However, this cannot be taken as a sufficient ground for the dissolution of marriage.