It is unlawful for a husband to pronounce divorce while his wife is menstruating, in post-partum bleeding, or during a period of purity in which he has had intercourse with her and it is still unknown whether she is pregnant. It is likewise forbidden after he has already uttered three divorces. The details of these rulings will be discussed, God willing.

The legitimacy of divorce is proven by the Quran, the Sunnah, and scholarly consensus. Allah says, “Divorce may be pronounced twice” (Quran 2:229), and He says, “O Prophet, when you divorce women, divorce them for the start of their waiting period” (Quran 65:1).

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Divorce is only for the one who has taken hold of the leg (i.e., the husband),” recorded by Ibn Mājah and al-Dāraqutnī among others. More than one scholar has transmitted a consensus on the permissibility of divorce.

Its wisdom is plain to see, and it ranks among the many beauties of this great religion, for it offers a solution to marital problems whenever the need arises. Allah, exalted be He, says, “Retain them in kindness, or release them with good treatment” (Quran 2:229), and He says, “But if the two separate, Allah will enrich each of them out of His abundance; Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Wise” (Quran 4:130).

When no benefit remains in continuing the marriage, when staying with the husband harms the wife, or when either spouse is morally corrupt and not upright in religion, divorce becomes a relief and a rightful exit.