In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. May Allah bless Muhammad and his family and grant them peace.

Book of Divorce According to the Sunnah

Section
The Derivation of the Word for Divorce

The word talāq (divorce) derives from the expression atlaqtu al-nāqa fa-talaqat: “I released the she-camel, and she went free,” meaning that you released her from her tether and restraints. A married woman is thus likened to one bound to her husband: when he parts from her, he releases her from that bond. This is illustrated by the expression people use when a woman is your wife: “She is bound to you.” It means that she is bound to you as a she-camel is bound by her ropes. They then distinguished the verb used for the she-camel from that used for the woman by changing its vowel, although both share the same origin. They say talaqat of the she-camel, with an a on the letter l, and taluqat of the woman, with a u on that letter. They also say atlaqtu al-nāqa (“I released the she-camel”) and tallaqtu al-mar’a (“I divorced the woman”).

Section

Divorce is the dissolution of the marital bond contracted between spouses. Allah has placed this matter in the hands of husbands and granted them authority over it, rather than their wives. He says:

“When you divorce women and they have completed their waiting period, do not prevent them from marrying their husbands.” [al-Baqara: 232]

He also says:

“If you divorce them before you have touched them, but after specifying a dowry for them, then give them half of what you specified.” [al-Baqara: 237]

Success comes through Allah, glorified and exalted be He.