In a forced marriage, is sex obligatory for the woman?

The issue of whether sex is obligatory for a woman in a forced marriage is a complex matter that varies between Sunni and Shia interpretations.

According to Sunni scholarship, as reflected in Tafsir Ibn Kathir, it is stated that if a slave girl is forced into sexual relations, she is considered free at the expense of the one who forced her. This highlights that coercion removes her obligation to remain submissive to such demands. The narration states: If he forced her, then she is free at his expense, and he has the duty of paying her mistress the slave’s value. Sunan an-Nasa'i 26:169SunniDaif (per Al-Albani). This signifies that a woman cannot be compelled to engage in sexual relations against her will.

In Shia scholarship, Majma al-Bayan notes that forcing a woman into sexual relations is condemned, and that any relations under duress do not bind her in the same way as consensual relations would. The idea is reinforced that coercion is not acceptable and that a woman's autonomy must be respected.

For a ruling that applies to your specific situation, it is advised to consult a qualified local scholar.