Is it permissible for a divorced woman to demand anything other than the deferred dower if she was divorced without legitimate or conventionally acceptable reasons, and psychological harm resulted from the divorce due to the husband's disclosure of marital secrets?
Divorce is disliked if the spouses' situation is stable. It is not permissible for the husband to disclose marital secrets unless there is an overriding legitimate Islamic interest. A divorced woman is not entitled to claim financial compensation for psychological harm. However, she does have financial rights: deferred mahr (dowry), mut'ah (consolatory gift), and 'iddah (waiting period) maintenance. The deferred mahr is a debt she is entitled to upon divorce or death. 'Iddah maintenance is due to a revocably divorced woman who is not defiant (nashiz), and absolutely to a pregnant woman. As for mut'ah, some scholars view it as compensation for the psychological harm resulting from separation. Jurists have differed regarding its obligation and amount. The preponderant opinion is that it is obligatory and its amount is determined by custom.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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