Optional night Prayer as a barrier to the spouses having sexual intercourse

Q 4: My husband asks me to stay up at night with him, but I refuse to do this as I like to maintain Qiyam-ul-Layl (optional Prayer at night), which is why I tend to sleep early. Is this counted as an act of disobedience to my husband?

A: You should obey your husband in Ma`ruf (that which is judged as good, beneficial, or fitting by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect), but if he asks you to stay up at night with him in a way that prevents you from offering Fajr prayer (Dawn prayer) or asks you to watch whatever is Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect), in this case you should not obey him. Otherwise, he should be obeyed in anything else even if this results in missing Qiyam-ul-Layl, for it is a Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet), but obeying the husband is an obligation. (Part No. 19; Page No. 223) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.