What is the Islamic ruling on a wife refusing to have marital relations with her husband due to emotional infidelity?

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his Companions, and all those who follow him.

To proceed:

The marital relationship is fundamentally based on tranquility, affection, and mercy. Intimate relations between spouses serve to strengthen their bond and mutual attraction.

However, if a deviation or act of betrayal occurs, as described in the question, and the wife feels psychologically harmed by her husband's illicit relationships, the general principle is that she should address the matter with him, enjoin him to do what is right, and forbid him from what is wrong.

If he repents and abandons such behavior, she should resume marital relations with him. However, if she feels emotionally repulsed and psychologically unable to engage in intimate relations, particularly during the initial period after discovering the betrayal, she is permitted to refrain from doing so. This is Islamically permissible and justifiable under such circumstances.

Nevertheless, this situation should not persist indefinitely or become an established way of life. Rather, both spouses should work to resolve the problem and repair their relationship, particularly the husband, since he is the one at fault.

If he rectifies his conduct, their relationship should return to its previous state. Otherwise, the great Qur'anic principle applies. Allah, the Almighty, says:

“Either retain her in an acceptable manner or release her with good treatment.” Al-Baqara 229