Can a Married Couple Live Separately in Islam?
C.J Ahmed-10.05.2023
Islam is a religion that encourages spouse after marriage to live together in order to fulfill their responsibilities. When it comes to marital duties, the most fulfilling responsibility is to engage in sexual intercourse because one of the main solutions that is attained for a man and woman when getting married is to fulfill ones sexual desires and living separately in extended periods will make no meaning in getting married. A married couple living separately is only allowed if either the spouse agrees to live separately for a stipulated time. 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)
Nowadays people marry for many reasons and some do not even know th purpose of marriage. There are men who marry women and leave them for year to work overseas. This clarly violates the wife’s right to intimacy and effection and in most cases the wife’s consent is not even asked in the first place. Some men marry and within weeks they trave abroad for work or other reasons stating that they are doing this because of financial reasons. It is understandable that travelling overseas for employment is neede based on the situation one is but if you are having financial issues then and cannot commit oneelf into being together with your wife, then it is adviced to become financial stable and getting married because the purpose of marriage won’t be fulfilled by being separate for an extended period of time.
Islam is a religion that encourages spouse after marriage to live together in order to fulfill their responsibilities. When it comes to marital duties, the most fulfilling responsibility is to engage in sexual intercourse because one of the main solutions that is attained for a man and woman when getting married is to fulfill ones sexual desires and living separately in extended periods will make no meaning in getting married. A married couple living separately is only allowed if either the spouse agrees to live separately for a stipulated time. 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)
Nowadays people marry for many reasons and some do not even know th purpose of marriage. There are men who marry women and leave them for year to work overseas. This clarly violates the wife’s right to intimacy and effection and in most cases the wife’s consent is not even asked in the first place. Some men marry and within weeks they trave abroad for work or other reasons stating that they are doing this because of financial reasons. It is understandable that travelling overseas for employment is neede based on the situation one is but if you are having financial issues then and cannot commit oneelf into being together with your wife, then it is adviced to become financial stable and getting married because the purpose of marriage won’t be fulfilled by being separate for an extended period of time.
- Conclusion