Reasons to consider divorce | SoundVision.com

Reasons to consider divorce

Reasons to consider divorce

The divorce rate in America is one of the highest in the world (over 50 percent). But the divorce rate of Muslims in North America is almost as high, according to New York based sociologist Ilyas Ba-Yunus.

Yes, it's true. Muslims today are divorcing in larger numbers than before. There are clearly problems within families that have not been addressed: dysfunction, miscommunication, and in a number of cases violence and abuse.

But while Muslims are taking this step in larger numbers, what does Islam have to say about it?

The Islamic perspective on divorce

"Divorce is something that is very much discouraged in Islam," explains Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).

"It is called, according to one of the Hadith of the Prophet Sal Allahu alayhi wa Sallam (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 'the most hateful thing that is permissible.'"

This stance discouraging divorce needs to be seen in a balanced way, notes Siddiqi.

"It has to be used very carefully," he says.

What are some legitimate reasons for a couple to consider divorce?

There are definitely valid reasons Muslim men and women can seek divorce.

"One legitimate reason is if there is immoral behavior, unIslamic behavior on the part of a spouse," says Siddiqi. "If a spouse is involved in that, then there is a breakdown."

"For example if one of the spouses, God forbid, is involved in adultery or fornication. In that case, they have a right to separate and this is a legitimate ground for separation."

Another valid reason for divorce is apostasy on the part of either spouse. If a Muslim man or woman's spouse leaves Islam, Siddiqi says the marriage is null and void and the couple can no longer be together.

Abdalla Idris Ali is a member of ISNA's executive body and former president of the organization. He adds to the list of legitimate reasons for seeking divorce dishonesty prior to marriage.

For instance, if a husband told his wife before marriage that he did not consume alcohol or drugs and she discovers after marriage that he is an alcoholic or drug addict.

Some other reasons are:

  • a woman was married before and she did not tell her husband
  • a woman marries man and he is impotent, and she finds out after marriage.
  • cruelty
  • a man's inability or refusal to support his wife
  • a wife's refusal to live with her husband or be with him.
  • if one of the spouses is unable to have conjugal relations
  • one spouse feels repulsion towards the other.

Ali, however, cautions against jumping to divorce quickly and adds that every case has to be looked at individually.

"It is one thing to speak about a ruling. It is another thing to speak about a judgement in a certain case," he says in an interview with Sound Vision and RadioIslam.com.

"If you ask me now, what is the ruling in Islam for a young man who commits Zina (adultery and fornication)? I'll tell you Allah says, give him 100 lashes. This is what the Quran says."

"But you bring me a man and say, this man committed Zina. I'm not going just to give him 100 lashes. This is a case. I have to investigate it, to see whether he did it, you cannot just go and apply the rule."

Illegitimate reasons to seek divorce

Along with legitimate reasons for seeking divorce, Siddiqi and Ali also point to those that are not so acceptable.

Siddiqi gives the example of a husband not liking the way a wife cooks or dresses.

"One should not expect perfection on the part of the spouse because nobody's perfect except Allah and His Messenger. Everybody has shortcomings," he says in an interview with Sound Vision from his home in Orange County, California.

"One should have willingness to sacrifice some of the things," he adds. "This is how the family is established, how it becomes a better family.

Another reason that should not be grounds for divorce is just moodiness on the part of a spouse, says Ali.

What can couples do to avoid divorce?

Siddiqi recommends the following steps to couples who are in difficulty:

1. Both spouses should have the fear of Allah. They should remember that if they are unfair to their spouse, they will be judged on their behavior by Allah.
2. They should try to resolve the problem amongst themselves, then within family members
3. They should not hesitate to involve other members of the community. For instance, they should not feel ashamed or embarrassed to meet and speak with their local Imam (if he is someone fair and trustworthy to the husband and the wife).
4. Seek counseling, preferably from a Muslim counselor. If that is not possible than from a non-Muslim counselor. However, they should be aware of Islamic guidelines so they can take advice from that which is in line with Islamic values.

"As physically we can get sick, our relations also can get sick sometimes," says Siddiqi. "The sooner we take care of this problem the better. We should not prolong it. We should resolve the differences as soon as possible and as much as possible. But when problems go on and on, then the wounds will grow."

Siddiqi recommends Muslim couples draft a prenuptial agreement and specify that all conflicts in marriage should be resolved Islamically and in the case of divorce, this process, if it happens, is also handled in a manner in line with Islamic guidelines.

Comments

Dear Sister...
Read up on Syariah Law...maybe you will get help from there..you have the right to go to syariah court if you have proof of your husband mistreating you. Staying in an oppressed marriage will not benefit you or your unborn child.Seek help from our Creator Allah (swt). May Allah (swt) guide you out of your problems. Ameen

Location

Singapore

Shifau,

I have been living the same life as you, and word for word as you posted , we had our baby a year ago, and ever since I've been no good to him, just a slave that he constantly verbally and mentally abuses, and he has made sure I had no way to leave by making me stay home with the kids, so I'm in aren't bad position. Please share any advice

Location

Usa

Assalamualaikum,

Unfortunately, your situation sounds very bad. I am sorry to hear you going through so much hardship in a very stressful and already hardfull stage in womanhood, pregnancy. These times are times you need the most support and to be treated the way you are treated is unforgivable. I will make dua for you that your situation improves.

Location

East Elmhurst

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Location

uk

This is Haram, forbidden. Though it may be real but you are using the help of the enemies of Islam, the devil to achieve what you want. Do you think Allah will be pleased by this action when He clearly tells people to ask Him for anything since He is the one who created everything including the devil? He gave us choice and intellect. We must use it wisely. Knowingly defying Allah will not give you success in the hereafter or even in this planet. The devil is not our friend. The devil will NEVER be our friend and the devil wants it that way.

Hello Everyone, an awesome and amazing testimony about a prophet jimoh spell caster i really love to share. Getting my Husband back is what i least expected and could never imagine. I and my Husband have been married for 3years and we have been living happily but all of a sudden He changed completely and turned away from me and i never knew what was going on, i tried to ask Him but He refused to tell me what the problem is, and as time went on He sought for a divorce. I was so worried and confused, and i did all my possible best to get Him back but it was all in vain and i thought all hope was lost, and during my search for a way out, a friend of mine who had similar problem told me about a great spell caster called Great prophet jimoh who helped her to solve his problem. I never use to believe in spell casting in my entire life because i never thought it will work but i tried to give this man a chance and to my greatest surprise, He did his work and it yielded a positive result and i was able to get my Husband back. Even after the spell caster did his work, i discovered that my Husband fell so much in love with me unlike before. This spell casting isn't brain washing but he opened up His eyes to see how much i love and needed Him, and now i am a happy Woman again and do not know what to do for this Great spell caster and so i am using this opportunity to tell anyone having similar problem to email him on prophetjimoh1@gmail.com just tell Him your problems and He will help you because He is so real and powerful. Once again thank you Great prophet jimoh and may your gods always reward you for your good deeds.

I know people will be complaining about their marriage, and their relationship, especially the women, they usually complain about their husband does not love them anymore, their husband is cheating on them and even their husband left them, but my case was similar to theirs, my name is Kate Walker, I am from Texas, USA, I had a very similar case with theirs, my husband, Walker left me with my two kids, for no reason, he said he does not love me anymore, he left for about 5 years, he never called me even my kids, I had a friend, Anita, she had a case similar to mine but her husband is now with her, I told her my problems I was facing, she told me about a great man that helped her to solve her problems, she introduced me to the great Baba ubeji, a man with great powers and kindness, he told me that my problems will be solved, so I believed, then after one week, it was unbelievable my husband came to me asking me for forgiveness, I accepted him, he has changed some much since when he came back, I just want to thank, the great Baba ubeji for his understanding and love, my friends if you are facing similar problems with me and even some other problems, he introduced me to some people he has helped, he can also help with solutions to some problems, like;
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Location

London

I m a converted Muslim n been married for 22 yrs with 4 children my husband at first came across very nice man but I didn't know his dark secretive life while he goes to his country cos we r from different country n language barrier he hides everything from me yet after all this yrs I trusted him he always asked me for help financially n tells me to claim benefits as a single mum while he goes bck hme few tmes a yr telling me that he is doing business for us so that we can hv a better lives later which I believe bcos I loved him n too blind in love.. little did I knew that I had a wife n a child bck hme when I ask for money or abt his business he would bcm very aggressive n bgin to shout at me so I didn't asked nor demand for any penny whatever I get from benefits I survived with it till I started to work n he is becoming more n more aggressive n checking on me putting tracker on my car n so on... he used to ask me money whatever I save I pity him n give him all of my saving plus help him every possibly way I could but he is so clever took from me n gave everything we had to his mum n put everything in her name I hv nothing nor he married me legally

Location

London

Asalam-o-alaikum I have been married to a man since 10 months and it was an arranged marriage. I used to talk to my husband before we got married and at that time he told me he got a son from his ex-girlfriend even after knowing this I was totally okay to marry him. We got married in march and I reached to England after 6 months of our marriage. During all this time my husband and I used to talk very less. He usually told me that I am busy this and that but sometimes we talked over phone and we had conversations but he used to tell my everytime that I'm a very stubborn man and this and that but now when I came here and finally i started living with him his behaviour is just like a stranger he hardly speaks to me and we are not even physically very much close and then one day I tried to talk to that what is this going on and then he told me I don't like you as a wife I don't have any attraction in you and I can't think you as a wife. And after I got married I came to know he was even married before to his cousin and he didn't like her at all her mom forced him to marry her so he divorced her because he didn't like her at all and now for me he said I don't have any feelings for you as a wife even though he likes me but now he'l does not want to divorce me and he told me if you want a divorce you can take a decision and plus he didn't tell anyone about this marriage like his family members he didn't tell anyone just his mom dad brother sisters knows about me rest of the people like family friends doesn't know about me at all and he never took me out with him just because people don't see me with him and he is keeping me like a secret wife even if someone visits the house he would tell me to go to your room and don't come infront of them. What should I do ??

Location

England

Mrs. Khan:
I am very sorry to hear of your situation.
My advice would be to contact a Muslim organization that can advise and support you during this time and then contact an experienced attorney (preferably a Muslim attorney) who can then advise you and represent you if necessary.
I wish you peace, happiness and success.

Location

USA

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