Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brother Burhan,

Assalaam Alaikum!

Although it is one of the most disliked actions permitted by Islam, many of our Muslim couples have to go thru divorce as a last resort. Being a disliked and thus less discussed action the proper way of going about it is not practiced in reality. In fact I recently came to know that one of my school friend recently re-united with his divorced wife of 10 years which as far as I know is a major sin. Kindly spell out the detailed procedure by mentioning the actions and the rights of the parties involved over the prescribed period of going thru Talaaq so that fellow Muslims may be protected from doing zulm on themselves and others.

WaSalaam.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Couple remarried after 10 years

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

We have written an earlier article detailing the concept of divorce in Islam, which we are sending as a separate attachment for your reference.

Ref: In fact I recently came to know that one of my school friend recently re-united with his divorced wife of 10 years which as far as I know is a major sin.

If your friend had declared only one or two divorces, it is perfectly permissible in Islam to remarry his divorced wife at any time; provided a proper new nikaah is done with his ex-wife.

But if your friend had declared all three divorces, then that divorce will be considered irrevocable and absolutely final. The only way the man can re-marry his ex-wife after an irrevocable three divorce declaration is, if the woman married someone else and the new husband divorces her or dies. There is no other way for them to get re-married again.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan