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Her husband's parents want him to divorce her

Question

On the 45th day of my marriage, I was sent back home. Later, word came from my father-in-law saying that they do not want me to continue there. I could not understand the reason; neither is anyone contacting me. My husband once called and said that the reason, among other, is my illness. Later, however, I found out from other sources that his father says that I do not match their household and have changed their familial atmosphere. So they do not want me there. My husband is scared; if he supports me, he will be isolated. He has a separate house but has not yet started living there. I have some thyroid and depression-related issue, which is now at a normal level, and I had told them about that before marriage. After marriage, I get tired from doing the household work and lie down, and they blame me for that and say that I always sleep and do not mingle with the family. Are these valid reasons for a divorce?

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, is His slave and Messenger.

If your husband wants to retain the marriage and does not want to divorce you, but his parents command him to do so for the reasons that you mentioned, then he is not obliged to obey them in divorcing you. Rather, he should retain the marriage and live with you in kindness. If he has his own house, then there is no harm in that the both of you live there, away from his family. Please, refer to fatwa 84608.

In fact, this may be better in your case, and he should also keenly show kindness towards his parents. You should help him to the best of your ability.

However, if your husband does not want to retain the marriage and insists on divorcing you, then you should not despair and have confidence in your Lord. Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {But if they separate (by divorce), Allaah will enrich each (of them) from His abundance. And ever is Allaah Encompassing and Wise.} [Quran 4:130] Al-Qurtubi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him commented on this verse saying, "If the spouses failed to reach reconciliation and got a divorce, then they should place their trust in Allaah; He may bless the man with a better wife who would please him and may grant the woman a better husband who would provide for her broader provisions." [Al-Jaami' Li-Ahkaam Al-Quran 5/408]

Allaah knows best.

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