Obligating Spouses to Treat Diseases Causing Marriage Annulment from the Perspective of Islamic Denominations of Jurisprudence

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Assistant Professor, Department of Theology, Faculty of Humanities and Sport Sciences, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran

10.22034/mfu.2025.142861.1514

Abstract

With the advancement and development of medical knowledge, many defects that were previously grounds for marriage annulment (faskh al-nikᾱh), such as leprosy (judhᾱm), vitiligo (baras), congenital abnormalities, or impediments to sexual intercourse, are now treatable. The possibility of treating these defects raises the important question of compelling spouses to seek treatment from the perspective of Islamic Denominations of jurisprudence (fiqh al-madhᾱhib al-Islᾱmīyya). This study examines whether it is permissible to compel a spouse to treat defects that allow for marriage annulment when treatment is possible, or if treatment is not obligatory for the patient and the other spouse cannot force them to seek treatment, but only has the right to accept the marriage as is or annul it. Data for this research were collected through library research and analyzed using a descriptive-analytical method. The results indicate that in cases where treatment of the defect is readily available, either spouse can compel the other to remove the defect and treat the illness. Multiple rational and textual evidences support the obligation of treating defects when possible and the permissibility of compelling the other party to remove the defect. These include the obligation to prevent harm to oneself and others, the duty of good companionship (husn al-mu'ᾱshara), the prohibition of neglecting spousal rights, the necessity of facilitating sexual availability (tamkīn), and the principle of strengthening family foundations.

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References

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Comparative Studies on the Schools of Jurisprudence and its Principles
Volume 7, Issue 2 - Serial Number 13
Publisher
September 2024
Pages 247-227

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