Concerning Divorce
Two Ways of Divorcing
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TWO WAYS OF DIVORCING
However, it has to be conceded that life does not
always function smoothly, like a machine. Despite
all safeguards, it sometimes does happen that a
couple reaches a stage of such desperation that they
become intent on separation. Here the
shari’ah
gives
them guidance in that it prescribes a specific
method for separation. The Qur’an expresses it
thus: “Divorce may be pronounced twice, then a
woman must be retained in honour or allowed to go
with kindness.”
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This verse has been interpreted to mean that a man
who has twice given notice of divorce over a period
of two months should remember God before giving
notice a third time. Then he should either keep his
spouse with him in a spirit of goodwill, or he
should release her without doing her any injustice.
This method of divorce prescribed by the Qur’an,
i.e. taking three months to finalize it, makes it
impossible for a man seeking divorce suddenly to
cast his wife aside. Once he has said to his wife
(who should not at this time be menstruating), “I
