Can a Husband and Wife Live Seperately After Nikah?
C.J Ahmed-10.05.2023
There is Nothing wrong in a husband and wife living separately after doing Nikah as long as both spouses agree to do so. The main reason nikah is done is to fulfill ones sexual desires and for affection. Although living separately will not fulfill theses things, it is still permissible because both the husband and the wife have agreed to do so.
The prophet (sal) said,
"The conditions that are the worthiest of being fulfilled are those which make sexual intercourse lawful for you." (Bukhari)
It was narrated from Abu Dharr that some people from among the companions of the Prophet (sal) said to the Prophet (sal): “O Messenger of Allaah, the rich people will get more reward. They pray as we pray, and they fast as we fast, but they give in charity from their excess wealth.” He said, “Has not Allaah given you things with which you can give charity? Every tasbeehah (saying ‘Subhaan Allaah (Glory be to Allaah)’) is a charity. Every Takbeerah (saying ‘Allaahu akbar (Allaah is Most Great)’) is a charity. Every Tahmeedah (saying ‘al-hamdu-Lillaah (praise be to Allaah)’ is a charity. Every Tahleelah (saying ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (there is no god but Allaah)’) is a charity. Enjoining what is good is a charity. Forbidding what is evil is a charity. Having intercourse (with one’s wife) is a charity.” They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, if one of us fulfils his desire, is there reward in that?” He said, “Do you not see that if he does it in a haraam way he will have the burden of sin? So if he does it in a halaal way, he will have a reward for that.” (Sahih Muslim)
If you cannot fulfil your marital obligations of your spouse, then not getting married is btter.
Abdullah bin Mas’ood (rali), who said: “We were with some youth not finding anything, so the Messenger of Allah, (sal) said: ‘O assembly of youth. Whoever from you is able to get married then let him do so, for it lowers the gaze and protects the privates. And whoever is unable, then it is to fast, for it is a protection”
(Bukhari and Muslim and others)
From the above hadith it is very clear that the prophet (Sal) did not regard marriage as an obligation. He regarded it as a Sunnah because if it was made an obligation then it would have been a hardship upon the ummah. If marriage was an obligation then the prophet (Sal) would have clearly mentioned it as an obligation or a companion would have narrated of the prophet (Sal) stating that it's an obligation.
There is Nothing wrong in a husband and wife living separately after doing Nikah as long as both spouses agree to do so. The main reason nikah is done is to fulfill ones sexual desires and for affection. Although living separately will not fulfill theses things, it is still permissible because both the husband and the wife have agreed to do so.
The prophet (sal) said,
"The conditions that are the worthiest of being fulfilled are those which make sexual intercourse lawful for you." (Bukhari)
It was narrated from Abu Dharr that some people from among the companions of the Prophet (sal) said to the Prophet (sal): “O Messenger of Allaah, the rich people will get more reward. They pray as we pray, and they fast as we fast, but they give in charity from their excess wealth.” He said, “Has not Allaah given you things with which you can give charity? Every tasbeehah (saying ‘Subhaan Allaah (Glory be to Allaah)’) is a charity. Every Takbeerah (saying ‘Allaahu akbar (Allaah is Most Great)’) is a charity. Every Tahmeedah (saying ‘al-hamdu-Lillaah (praise be to Allaah)’ is a charity. Every Tahleelah (saying ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (there is no god but Allaah)’) is a charity. Enjoining what is good is a charity. Forbidding what is evil is a charity. Having intercourse (with one’s wife) is a charity.” They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, if one of us fulfils his desire, is there reward in that?” He said, “Do you not see that if he does it in a haraam way he will have the burden of sin? So if he does it in a halaal way, he will have a reward for that.” (Sahih Muslim)
If you cannot fulfil your marital obligations of your spouse, then not getting married is btter.
Abdullah bin Mas’ood (rali), who said: “We were with some youth not finding anything, so the Messenger of Allah, (sal) said: ‘O assembly of youth. Whoever from you is able to get married then let him do so, for it lowers the gaze and protects the privates. And whoever is unable, then it is to fast, for it is a protection”
(Bukhari and Muslim and others)
From the above hadith it is very clear that the prophet (Sal) did not regard marriage as an obligation. He regarded it as a Sunnah because if it was made an obligation then it would have been a hardship upon the ummah. If marriage was an obligation then the prophet (Sal) would have clearly mentioned it as an obligation or a companion would have narrated of the prophet (Sal) stating that it's an obligation.