Is a divorce that occurred under the threat of the wife throwing herself from the balcony considered a valid divorce, and is the wife obligated to observe the waiting period (iddah) in her home?
The issued divorce is valid and enforceable, and the wife's threat of suicide is not considered coercion. If this was the first or second divorce and you reconciled with your wife during her iddah (waiting period), she is still your wife and has no right to refuse to return; otherwise, she is disobedient (nashiz). The wife's or her guardian's consent is not a condition for the validity of reconciliation during the iddah.
If the iddah ends without reconciliation, she does not become your wife again except with a new contract, mahr (dowry), a guardian, and two witnesses. If this was the third divorce, she is not lawful for you until she marries another husband and he consummates the marriage with her, then divorces her or dies.
It is advisable to consult Sharia courts or scholars. Spouses are advised to treat each other kindly, overlook mistakes, and fulfill their rights. A woman's request for divorce without harm is a grave sin, and her threat of suicide is an even greater sin that necessitates repentance. The husband should strive for reconciliation, and if he is unable, then women are many.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/40398