What is the ruling regarding a wife's rejection of her husband and refusal to have conjugal relations with him after marriage due to a lack of desire for him, while attempts to separate have been fruitless?

A woman who dislikes her husband due to a reason such as his character, appearance, religiosity, old age, or weakness, and fears that she will not fulfill Allah's rights in obeying him, is permitted to seek a Khul' (divorce initiated by the wife in exchange for compensation), based on the Almighty's saying: "But if you fear that they will not uphold the limits of Allah, then there is no blame upon either of them concerning that by which she ransoms herself."

Scholars have differed on compelling the husband to agree to Khul' if he refuses. Most of them do not deem it obligatory to compel him, while Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymeen preferred that it is obligatory to compel him if the wife requests it and offers compensation, in order to prevent misery and animosity. He cited the Prophet's (peace be upon him) narration to Thabit ibn Qays: "Take back the garden and divorce her," and that the command implies obligation.

Therefore, it is advisable to refer the matter to the Sharia court for consideration.