When does the wife's waiting period ('iddah) begin in a Swedish divorce: upon the issuance of the decree or upon filing the application? And what should the wife do to obtain an Islamic divorce if a Swedish divorce decree is issued at her request and the husband refuses, and they live separately under Swedish law but are not Islamically divorced?

Muslims are not permitted to seek judgment from man-made laws regarding divorce or other matters. Instead, disputes must be presented to a trustworthy scholar or Islamic authority. If the husband does not accept the arbitration ruling and there is harm to the wife, she may refer the matter to civil courts, upon the indication of the Islamic authority, because "a semblance of justice" takes the place of "justice" when the latter is unattainable. Both spouses should fear Allah. The husband must not use divorce as a means to humiliate or oppress his wife, but rather issue it when cohabitation has deteriorated and marital life has become impossible, and not keep her in a state of suspension.