PA Daily: Sex on demand - a Muslim husband's "right"; a wife's "obligation"
Sex on demand "at any time" is a husband's right - this is what Palestinians were taught in the official PA daily's religious ruling section yesterday. Moreover, a husband's "right" to "enjoy his wife" sexually "at all times" supersedes the woman's right to accept upon herself a religious fast:
"A woman must ask permission from her husband to fast, because the husband has the right to enjoy his wife [sexually] at any time, and it is obligatory [for his wife] to fulfill his right immediately."
Dar Al-Ifta, an official PA institution issuing Fatwas (religious rulings), Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 15, 2019
In Islam fasting includes abstaining from sexual relations. Accordingly, the wife's fasting would prevent her from fulfilling her obligation to satisfy her husband's "right" for sex "immediately," should he demand it.
The following is the question-and-answer as it appeared in the official PA daily in the special Fatwa (religious rulings) section for the month of Ramadan:
"Question: 'Does a woman have to ask her husband for permission to fast six days in the month of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan when Muslims traditionally fast for six days; the fast is optional. Ed.)?'
Answer: 'The rule is that a woman must ask permission from her husband to observe an optional fast. The six-day fast in the month of Shawwal is a sunnah [a traditional Muslim custom], and a woman must ask permission from her husband to fast, because the husband has the right to enjoy his wife [sexually] at any time, and it is obligatory [for his wife] to fulfill his right immediately (in Islam fasting includes abstaining from sexual relations, and therefore her fasting would prevent his "right" -Ed.)...
Regarding the obligatory and commanded fast [Ramadan] that it is an obligation to observe immediately [at the appointed time], a woman does not need to ask permission for it. A husband merits reward [from Allah] if he allows his wife to observe an optional fast.'"Dar Al-Ifta, an official PA institution issuing Fatwas (religious rulings), Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 15, 2019
The PA Mufti Muhammad Hussein, gave a similar ruling a few years ago during Ramadan, explaining that a woman must agree to sex when her husband wants it even if he is violating Islamic law by not fasting:
Palestinian Authority Mufti Muhammad Hussein answers questions about Ramadan on PA TV:
PA TV host reads out question: "A man doesn't fast and doesn't pray, but according to Shari'ah law - if he wants to have sex after the prayer [time] and [his wife] refuses, perhaps for the reason: 'You don't pray and don't fast.'"
Mufti: "That is not a reason..."
Host: "Does she have the right [to refuse] according to Shari'ah?"
Mufti: "No. It's his right [to have sex]. Nonetheless, we say to him: You must obey Allah Almighty. Just as you want to satisfy your needs, which are in fact animalistic and impulsive, you must also observe Allah's duties and commandments, which are more important. Nonetheless, it is his right. This woman may not and has no rights to deny him this right, especially during the permissible time, which is nighttime."
Official PA TV, Aug. 12, 2012