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Divorce is the most detestable permissible act

Question

Is divorce the most detestable act to Allaah? Is there any text from the Quran or the authentic Sunnah indicating this meaning?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

This is an authentic Hadeeth that was narrated on the authority of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam , by Abu-Dawood and Al-Haakim may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them. As-Suyooti may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him verified it as authentic, while Al-Albaani may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him maintained that it is weak.

The Quran urges husbands to keep their wives even if they do not like them. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allaah makes therein much good.} [Quran 4:19]

According to Ibn Qudaamah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him each case of divorce could have one of five judgments:

1- It may be obligatory when the husband refuses to have intercourse with his wife for more than four months, or when the two arbitrators find that divorce is the best solution for the couple for fear of dissention.

2 - It may be detestable when it happens without any reason.

3 - It may be permissible when it is necessary, such as when the wife is ill-mannered and if she does not fulfill her duties as a wife.

4 - It could be recommended when the wife is negligent towards the obligations of Islam, such as prayer. This is the case if her husband is unable to persuade her to observe them. This also would apply if she is unchaste.

5 - It may be prohibited when divorce is effected during the wife’s menstruation period, or during a menstrual cycle in which he has had intercourse with her. Scholars unanimously agree that this type is prohibited.

Allaah Knows best.

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