A wife not having an orgasm

Question

Salam Alaykom. I have a question. What is the ruling regarding orgasm in islam for the muslim woman? If a women supposedly doesn't have an orgasm, does this give a right for the husband to look for another women? If the women wants to experience orgasm for her need as well as for the sake of her husband, can she try some form of cream or medicine to acheive it? Also, will the muslim women get rewards for having sexual relations with her husband even though she wants to acheive orgasm and cannot?? Jazallah Khayran.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

If by orgasm you mean that the wife does not reach the highest point of sexual excitement, marked by strong feelings of pleasure, and that she is 'cold' sexually, then it is permissible for her to seek treatment. Among the treatment for this is that she should fear Allaah and lower her gaze from looking to what is forbidden. Indeed, Allaah promised happiness and tranquillity for the obedient people in this life and the Hereafter. Also, among the means of treatment is to read the books specialized in treating 'sexual coldness' and seeking the advice of doctors, as every disease has a cure.

As regards your inquiry whether or not this gives the right for the husband to marry a second wife, then the answer is that the husband has the right to marry a second, third or fourth wife whether or not there is a reason for doing so, on the condition to be just between them. Allaah Says (what means): {…then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one.}[Quran 4:3]. Therefore, the husband has the right to marry a second wife even if his first wife fulfils his sexual desire, and it is more appropriate for him to marry a second wife if the first wife suffers from sexual coldness.

Concerning whether or not the wife will be rewarded, then the answer is yes, Allaah willing, in two respects: first, because she fulfils her desires by a lawful way and did not resort to a forbidden way, secondly, is that the Prophet said: "…It is an act of charity when you have sexual intercourse with your spouse…", which is allowing her husband to have sexual intercourse with her, and she is rewarded even if she does not fulfil his desire due to her sexual coldness, as this is out of her own control.