Marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman, rooted in the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. Both partners are expected to treat each other with respect and kindness, however, sometimes things may not go as planned.
Islam acknowledges that divorce can be necessary under certain circumstances, but it still views it as a last resort and something that is deeply discouraged. The Arabic word for divorce is “Talaq,” which means “freeing or undoing the knot.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned against hasty decisions when it comes to divorce, saying “Among lawful things, Allah most hates divorce.” (Abu Dawud)
If a divorce is inevitable, the Quran encourages both parties to try and mediate their problems through an arbitrator, rather than going through a contested trial. Both spouses and the community are involved in this process, and the needs of any children are given top priority. Guidelines for both personal behavior and the legal process are outlined in Islam.
There are three types of divorce: Ahsan, Hasan, and Bid’a. Ahsan is the most favorable, where the husband makes one pronouncement during a period of purity, without having sexual intercourse with his wife. Hasan is also considered favorable, where the husband makes three pronouncements in three consecutive purity periods. Bid’a is an irregular divorce, where the husband makes three pronouncements all at once. This type of divorce is considered against the spirit of Islamic law, and the person who chooses this path is considered an offender.
While following these guidelines may be difficult, especially if one or both spouses feel wronged or angry, it is important to strive for maturity and fairness. Remember Allah’s words in the Quran: “The parties should either hold together on equitable terms or separate with kindness.” (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:229)
Recommended reading: The Importance of Charity in Islam