Can the wife's family compel the addicted husband to divorce his wife with three pronouncements in a single sitting, so that she cannot return to him after he becomes reformed?
Parents do not have the right to force the husband to divorce, but they can request it from him. If he refuses, the matter can be brought before a judge. Divorce is in the hands of the husband. The wife can request the termination of the marital relationship for justified reasons, and this is done by a judge's ruling, unless the husband has delegated the power of divorce to her. A judge's divorce is a minor irrevocable divorce (baynunah sughra), and the judge does not compel the husband to pronounce a triple divorce. If the husband, by his own choice, divorces three times, it is a major irrevocable divorce (baynunah kubra). It is advisable to reform the husband and help him repent from addiction. If he repents, then he should be treated with kindness. Otherwise, separation is appropriate, even through khul'.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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