How Soon Should a Marriage be Consummated in Islam?

Question: 225

How soon does a married couple have to consummate their marriage in Islam?
If one of the partners feels uncomfortable, what is he/she to do, if he/she does not want to consummate right away, but would prefer to wait about 3 months?

Summary of answer

There is no period prescribed by Islamic Shari`ah from the time of conducting the contract and consummating the marriage. This is up to the couple as to what is most appropriate and in their best interests.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

If a man executes a valid marriage contract with a woman, then it is permissible for the two to do as they please between themselves, even with only the contract. There is no period prescribed by Islamic Shari`ah between the contract and consummation of the marriage, so this issue is up to the two partners as to what they decide is most appropriate and in their best interests.

It is incumbent upon both parties to consider, respect, and ensure the other one’s personal comfort and ease.

Thus, if the husband sees that the wife needs some time to become acclimated and develop their relationship and level of intimacy before consummation, such as 3 months, for example, he should do so, and vice versa.

Likewise, it is incumbent upon the wife if she sees that her husband feels an urgent need to guard his chastity by consummating the marriage that she should not prolong the period so that he does not fall into a state of awkward discomfort and difficulty, and vice versa.

For more details, please see the following answers: 854, 75026, 74321, 193599, 87548, 175624.

And Allah knows best.

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Source:

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid