No prescribed period for consummating marriage

al-hamdu lillaah.

If a man executes a valid marriage contract with a woman then it ispermissible for the two to do as they please between themselves, even withonly the contract. There is no period prescribed by Islamic shari’ahbetween the contract and consummation of the marriage, so this issue is upto the two partners as to what they decide is most appropriate and in theirbest interests.

It is incumbent upon both parties to consider, respect, and ensure theother one’s personal comfort and ease. Thus, if the husband sees that thewife needs some time to become acclimated and develop their relationshipand level of intimacy before consummation, such as 3 months, for example,he should do so, and vice versa. Likewise, it is incumbent upon the wifeif she sees that her husband feels an urgent need to guard his chastity byconsummating the marriage that she should not prolong the period so that hedoes not fall into a state of awkward discomfort and difficulty, and viceversa.