Woman Between Islam and Western Society
8. Concerning Divorce
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said, “What you say is improper. By God, you
cannot move from here until you have shown your
willingness to accept the verdict of the arbiters in
the same spirit as the woman has shown.”
This makes it clear that a true believer should
wholeheartedly accept the arbiters and their verdict
in accordance with the Qur’anic injunctions. Once
their verdict is given, there should be no further
dispute.
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 honor or allowed to go
with kindness.”
15
This verse has been interpreted to mean that a man
who has twice given notice of divorce over a period
