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Office of the Imams
We are saddened to hear of the situation and pray for a speedy resolution.
From the Qur’an
سورة الطلاق
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ إِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَطَلِّقُوهُنَّ لِعِدَّتِهِنَّ وَأَحْصُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ ۖ لَا تُخْرِجُوهُنَّ مِنۢ بُيُوتِهِنَّ وَلَا يَخْرُجْنَ إِلَّآ أَن يَأْتِينَ بِفَـٰحِشَةٍۢ مُّبَيِّنَةٍۢ ۚ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ ظَلَمَ نَفْسَهُۥ ۚ لَا تَدْرِى لَعَلَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحْدِثُ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ أَمْرًۭا ١
“O Prophet! ˹Instruct the believers:˺ When you ˹intend to˺ divorce women, then divorce them with concern for their waiting period, and count it accurately. And fear Allah, your Lord. Do not force them out of their homes, nor should they leave—unless they commit a blatant misconduct. These are the limits set by Allah. And whoever transgresses Allah’s limits has truly wronged his own soul. You never know, perhaps Allah will bring about a change ˹of heart˺ later.”
Surah At-Talaq · 65:1
IAR services
The husband initiates talaq, or the wife pursues khulu’, via the civil divorce process — observing the Islamic ethical guidelines within that process.
Watch & learn
From the Islamic Association of Raleigh’s YouTube channel.
Understanding Khulu’
Khulu’ is when the wife requests a divorce from her husband and with the husband’s subsequent agreement to end the marriage. How to proceed depends on your situation.
Situation 1
This is considered an intact divorce, and no further action is needed.
We follow the scholarly opinion that the civil papers suffice as a clear indication of talaq or khulu’, respectively, and initiate the ‘iddah period and divorce process.
Situation 2
If he was forced to sign the divorce papers but did not intend to divorce you, or if the husband does not agree to Islamic divorce, you might want to consider an Islamic Khulu’ through a recognized national Islamic Tribunal organization.
The organization can contact your husband and start a khulu’ process, if you submit to the council a legitimate reason for seeking a Khulu’.
Situation 3
If he does not respond back to the council, the council will start the Khulu’ process for you and divorce you from him Islamically.
Islamic Tribunal organizations
Organizations you may contact to start a Khulu’ process.
Please note
We do not provide religious Khulu’ verdicts, judgments, or arbitration, as this would require independent verification of facts and hearing from both parties and, if necessary, witnesses, which is out of our scope.
You should regard this as an answer to your religious question based on the account you have provided, and it is not a verdict or a recommendation to do what it entails.
Support for your marriage
For support with resources in continuing to work on the marriage, please feel free to book an appointment with our Marriage Coaching Services.
Have a question about your situation? Contact the Imams’ Office
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