My wife was afflicted with a skin disease which has deformed all of her body, but it is not contagious; and the doctors agreed that there is no cure for it. I feel an aversion now, particularly when having intimate relations. I have given up hope of adjusting myself to her situation. So I have considered another marriage. I sought her opinion in the matter and she flared up in anger and threatened to seek a divorce if I do so. What does the religion say about me and her? A – As for you, I consider no sin upon you if you marry another woman, because Allah has made it permissible for His worshippers that the man may marry four women, unless he fears that he will be unjust. As for her, I advise her not to get angry at your thoughts of marriage, nor at your marriage, because this is something which Allah has made permissable for you and because you have an excuse in this situation. The situation which has befallen her is a calamity over which she should be patient. She should ask Allah for forgiveness and it might be a cause of her sins being remitted and the raising of her status before Allah. And Allah knows best. – Sheikh Bin Uthaymeen; Fatawa Islamiyyah, vol. 5, p. 356 Relations before marriage Q- What is the view of the religion concerning (premarital) relations? A – If the questioner means by “before marriage” – before consummation of the marriage but after the (Nikah) contract, then there is no harm in such relations because she is his wife by virtue of the contract, even though they have not formally consummated the marriage. However, if it is before the marriage itself, such as during the period of engagement or otherwise, then such relations are forbidden and impermissible. It is not allowed for a man to enjoy a non-related woman's company, either by speech, look or private company. It is confirmed the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘'A man cannot be alone with a women except in the presence of (one of her) mahram. And a women cannot travel except with a mahram .'' (Sahih Muslim) In sum, if that relationship or association is after the (Nikah) contract, there is no harm in it. If it is before that, then it is not allowed. Such behavior is forbidden since the woman does not become wife until they conclude the marriage contract. – Sheikh Bin Uthaymeen; Islamic Fatawa Regarding Women, p. 195
