How many times is the husband allowed to pronounce the divorce? And what is the difference between each one?
كم عدد الطلقات التي أعطاها الشارع الحكيم للزوج؟ وما الفرق بين كل طلقة وأخرى؟
Islam structures divorce in stages rather than making it an instant and permanent severing of ties, giving couples ample opportunity to reconsider, resolve their issues, and reunite.
ينظم الإسلام الطلاق على مراحل بدلاً من جعله قطعاً فورياً ودائماً للروابط، مما يمنح الزوجين فرصة كافية لإعادة التفكير، وحل مشاكلهم، ولم الشمل.
The Stages of Divorce | مراحل الطلاق
1. The First and Second Divorce (Revocable)
The man is allowed to pronounce the divorce three times. The first and second divorces have the same rulings: the divorced woman remains his wife until the waiting period (the Iddah) is over. The husband has the right to revoke the divorce and take her back during the waiting period without a new contract, with no dowry, and no guardian. This is what the jurists call the return, which means returning the divorcee to her previous state without a contract. This is the Revocable divorce.
1. الطلقة الأولى والثانية (الرجعية)
الطلقات ثلاث: الطلقة الأولى والثانية حكمهما واحد، وهو: إن المطلقة تبقى زوجة ما لم تنقض العدة، فللزوج الحق في مراجعتها في أثناء العدة بغير عقد ولا مهر ولا ولي، وهذا الذي يسميه الفقهاء الرجعة، ويقصد به: إعادة المطلقة غير البائن إلى ما كانت عليه بغير عقد.
2. Minor Irrevocable Divorce
But if the Iddah of a first or second divorce pronouncing ends, it becomes irrevocable in a minor sense (Baynunah Sughra), and she cannot go back to her husband unless she agrees and there is a new marriage contract and a new dowry.
2. البينونة الصغرى
فإن انقضت العدة من الطلقة الأولى أو الثانية كان للزوج الحق في مراجعة زوجته بمهر جديد وعقد جديد، ويسمى الفراق بين الزوجين هنا: (بينونة صغرى). ويجدر التنبيه على أن إذا راجع الزوج زوجته في العدة رجعة صحيحة، لم يملك من الطلاق إلا ما بقي من عدده.
3. The Third Divorce (Major Irrevocable)
If he pronounces a third divorce, she is no longer his wife, and he can only take her back under three conditions: she has to marry another husband, the new marriage must be a genuine one, and the second husband must consummate the marriage before they happen to divorce naturally.
3. الطلقة الثالثة (البينونة الكبرى)
إن طلقها طلقة ثالثة: فإنها لم تعد زوجة، ولا يحل له أن يراجعها إلا بثلاث شروط: أن تنكح زوجا غيره، وأن يكون النكاح صحيحا، وأن يطأها الزوج الثاني في الفرج.
The Quranic Command | الأمر القرآني
(Divorce may be retracted twice, then the husband must retain his wife with honour or separate from her with grace. It is not lawful for husbands to take back anything of the dowry given to their wives, unless the couple fears not being able to keep within the limits of Allah. So if you fear they will not be able to keep within the limits of Allah, there is no blame if the wife compensates the husband to obtain divorce. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah, they are the true wrongdoers.) Al Baqara 2:229.
(الطَّلَاقُ مَرَّتَانِ ۖ فَإِمْسَاكٌ بِمَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ تَسْرِيحٌ بِإِحْسَانٍ ۗ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ أَن تَأْخُذُوا مِمَّا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ شَيْئًا إِلَّا أَن يَخَافَا أَلَّا يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ اللَّـهِ ۖ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ اللَّـهِ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَا فِيمَا افْتَدَتْ بِهِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّـهِ فَلَا تَعْتَدُوهَا ۚ وَمَن يَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ اللَّـهِ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ) البقرة 2: 229.
(So if a husband divorces his wife three times, then it is not lawful for him to remarry her until after she has married another man and then is divorced. Then it is permissible for them to reunite, as long as they feel they are able to maintain the limits of Allah. These are the limits set by Allah, which He makes clear for people of knowledge) Al Baqara 2:230.
(فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا تَحِلُّ لَهُ مِن بَعْدُ حَتَّىٰ تَنكِحَ زَوْجًا غَيْرَهُ ۗ فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَا أَن يَتَرَاجَعَا إِن ظَنَّا أَن يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ اللَّـهِ ۗ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّـهِ يُبَيِّنُهَا لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ) البقرة 2: 230.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
What is a revocable divorce (Talaq Raj'i)?
A revocable divorce is the first or second time a husband divorces his wife. During her waiting period (Iddah), they are still considered legally married, and the husband can verbally or physically take her back without needing a new marriage contract.
What happens if the waiting period ends after the first or second divorce?
If the Iddah finishes and they have not reconciled, the divorce becomes a "minor irrevocable" separation. She is no longer his wife, but they can choose to remarry each other with a completely new marriage contract and a new dowry, provided she agrees.
Why is the third divorce final?
The third divorce is final to protect women from emotional abuse and being trapped in a cycle of endless divorces and reconciliations. It forces the husband to understand that the marriage is permanently over unless she happens to marry and divorce another man naturally in the future.