Living with Wife Only for the Sake of the Children Fatwa No: 84748
- Fatwa Date:2-9-2002
I no longer love my wife; I'm only living with her for the sake of my 2 boys (aged 21 months and 31 months). Is this Haram?
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 is His slave and Messenger.
The wife has rights over her husband which he must fulfill unless she gives up some or all of them.
Among these rights are the living necessities and good company, including intimacy. If the husband fails to fulfill these rights, then he commits a sin. As for love and affection, it is sometimes difficult for the person to manage them as he wishes. So, if the person does not find love in his heart for his wife, he does not commit a sin as long as he fulfills her rights. But the husband should do his best in order to be attracted by his wife by remembering her good character and features as this will help strengthen their relationship and enhance the building of a stable family.
Also know that Allah rewards the sacrifices and efforts of the believers to maintain strong family ties, especially the family unit for raising the children.
Allah knows best.