Is it recommended for a husband to separate from his wife upon her adultery?

Chapter on What is Prohibited to Marry and Combining Between Them and Other Matters

Al-Mughni

Book of Marriage

Book 35 · Issue 2 · Bab 2

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Imam Ahmad recommended that a man separate from his wife if she commits adultery. He stated that he does not see the propriety of keeping such a woman, fearing that she might corrupt his marriage bed and bear him a child not of his lineage.

Supporting text

Ibn al-Mundhir suggests that those who disliked such a woman may have done so without reaching the level of prohibition, which aligns with the ruling of Imam Ahmad recommending separation.