Fatwa ID: 02863

Answered by:  Maulana Imran Mughal​

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

My question is about what really constitutes the consummation of marriage?

This question is of immense cruciality to us because we do not want to miss out on the great Sunnah and Barakah of Walimah, and I've heard one should perform their Walimah within 1 or 2 days of consummating their marriage. So what would be our limitations of intimacy during this 6 months duration between Nikah and Rukhsati?

I've come across three different takes on consummation:
1- The act of intercourse
2- Khalwa al Sahiha, what I understand is when a man and woman are in seclusion in a way that nothing can hinder them from performing intercourse.

3- A mere touch of desire can also be considered consummation

If the third is true, can a husband not even hold her wife's hand, hug her, kiss her in a place when a door may be open but no one's around?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of ALLAH the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Once the Nikah is complete, it is allowed for the husband and wife to be intimate with each other in any way, whether before the rukhsati or after. That is because the custom of rukhsati is not a condition for the validity of Nikah.

There will be no limits to your intimacy during the 6 months you have specified.

And Allah SWT alone knows best.

Answered by Maulana Imran Mughal

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham