What is the ruling regarding a wife's refusal to allow her husband to come to her, claiming that he promised her divorce and refused to retract his promise?
If the husband gives his wife the choice and delegates the matter of her own self to her, and she chooses separation, then divorce becomes binding. He may take her back if it is the first or second divorce and before her waiting period (iddah) expires. However, if he did not intend to delegate the divorce to her, but rather inquired about her opinion or promised her divorce and did not act upon it, then she remains under his marital bond (ismatihi), and she must obey him. The husband is advised to address the wife's insubordination (nushooz) with wisdom and good counsel, and to explain the Sharia ruling to her that a promise of divorce is not obligatory to fulfill unless there is a valid justification.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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