A woman married a man who is impotent, and after a year and a half she requested a divorce. Is she entitled to do so?

The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. A girl married a young man, and after the marriage it became clear to her that he was impotent and could not satisfy women. She endured him for a year and a half, hoping he might be cured. After the year and a half, the doctors informed her that there was no cure for him, so she requested separation from him. He refused and asked her to stay with him for another year, in accordance with the current rulings of the Shari'ah courts. Is she entitled to refuse that, and is there anything in the Sunnah that clarifies this matter?

The Shaykh : I do not know. Or does she have the right? She has the right. As for whether there is something in the Sunnah that clarifies the matter, my knowledge is that I do not know.

The questioner : So she is entitled to refuse?

The Shaykh : Yes, she has the right.