As-Salaamu Alaykum, I am a 25-year-old young man. My problem is that I know for sure that I do not have the ability to satisfy the sexual desires of my wife. It should be known that I did not and will not— by the Leave of Allaah— commit unlawful sexual intercourse. Is it permissible for me to give up the idea of getting married forever?

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, is His Slave and Messenger.

Marriage is prohibited for any man who is certainly impotent and cannot satisfy the sexual desires of his wife so as not to harm his wife. This ruling is in accordance with the general rule stated by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: “There should be neither harm nor malice.” [Ahmad and Ibn Maajah; Saheeh] However, if the woman whom he wants to marry agrees to marry him after knowing about his impotence, it becomes permissible for him to marry. It is permissible for a person who has such a problem to give up the idea of getting married. However, we recommend you to look for treatment for your impotence, as medicine now – thanks to Allaah – has become easy and available, in order to enjoy your natural life and get the merits of marriage.

We supplicate Allaah to grant you wellbeing, a righteous wife and good offspring.

Allaah Knows best.