What is the ruling regarding an informal Islamic body specializing in Muslim family affairs initiating the annulment of a marriage contract for a woman who refuses to return to her husband's home and requests the termination of the marital relationship, given the husband's refusal to divorce her or agree to a khul' (divorce at the wife's instance) unless she returns home, knowing that he had previously promised her a khul' then retracted, and that the husband is twenty years older than the wife, they have no children, and he has another wife? And is the woman sinful for not returning to the marital home in this situation?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 2026
A woman is not permitted to leave her husband's home except for a valid excuse. A wife's dislike for her husband is not considered a valid excuse. A woman is deemed defiant (nashiz) if she refuses to return to her husband's home without a valid excuse. The husband should respond to the request for khul' (divorce at the wife's instance) if his wife dislikes him. If the husband refuses, a judge may rule in favor of khul'. In non-Islamic countries, Islamic centers assume the role of Sharia courts.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 163275
- Imported
- Translation status
- Source text, unreviewed
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