Divorcing based on doubt regarding wife's fertility Fatwa No: 355486
- Fatwa Date:1-1-2018
Is it okay to divorce your wife just because you doubt her fertility? Two weeks after marriage. I told my husband about some hormonal issue. He became very angry and immediately considered me infertile. He emphasised that I had not been honest with him before the marriage and that he cannot trust me anymore. In my defense, the issue which I have is very common. None of the doctors mentioned to me that it could lead to absolute infertility. Women suffering from this can have babies with or without medication. I know many friends who walk into marriage without knowing this and have healthy babies. So in my mind, it was not a fertility issue at all, so I never mentioned it. In addition, if I wanted to hide such a thing, then why would I then casually mention it to him? Is he doing the right thing without even giving me a chance, repeatedly saying that I am dishonest and that he does not want to trust me anymore and wants a divorce right away? How can I save my marriage? Is their any hadith that could help me?
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Divorce is permissible if there is a need for it; otherwise, it is disliked (when there is no need for it). The husband should not divorce his wife merely because he doubts her fertility! We advise your husband not to divorce you and to live with you in kindness, as enjoined, and to refrain from accusing you of being dishonest as long as it is not established that your condition leads to absolute infertility. Talk to your husband gently and remind him of the divine command in the Quran: {And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.} [Quran 4:19] Remind him also of the words of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: “A believing man should not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.” [Muslim]
Allah knows best.