The wife of an insane and impotent man

Question

What do the scholars of religion say regarding this issue: a man named ‘Abd al-Quddus was struck by insanity (junun) approximately three years ago. After due investigation and attempts at a remedy, it was found that although some of his speech is reasonable, most of his words and deeds proceed from him contrary to reason and sound judgement; the desire to earn a livelihood and run a household, and the desire for conjugal life, have entirely left him.

Answer

Of the three matters, not receiving maintenance is not, according to the Shari‘a, a ground for separation (tafriq): [ar]ومن أعسر بنفقة امرأته لم يفرق بينهما، ويقال لها: استديني عليه[/ar] “Whoever is unable to maintain his wife, they are not separated; rather she is told: ‘Borrow on his account’” (al-Hidaya, p. 419). Impotence (‘unna)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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