Wife refusing to have relations with her husband for a valid excuse

Q: I heard a lecture stating that if a husband calls his wife for intimacy, she must immediately respond. Is this correct? 

I understand if this applies when she is at home, but how does Islam balance this obligation with fairness and practicality, especially if the wife is busy or has valid reasons to delay?

A: If the wife has a valid excuse to refrain from having relations with her husband (e.g. she is experiencing her menses), then she has the right to refuse. 

However, if she does not have a valid excuse to refrain from relations with her husband, then she should not refuse her husband when he calls her. If she refuses him, she will be sinful.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)