What is the duration after which a husband is not permitted to swear an oath of mutual imprecation (li'an) against his wife? Does the child reaching the age of 8 years prevent the husband from performing li'an? What should the husband do if he abandons li'an? Will he incur the sin mentioned in the noble Hadith: "Any woman who introduces someone who is not of them to a people, then she is not from Allah in anything"? And is there repentance for him if he abandons li'an and conceals his wife's transgression?

Scholars have differed on the duration after which a husband's right to li'an (oath of condemnation) lapses. Some believe it lapses immediately unless there is a necessity preventing it. Others are of the view that he has a delay of a day or two, or for the duration of the nifas (postnatal bleeding) period. Still others believe he can deny paternity as long as he has not acknowledged it. The preponderant view is that the duration is determined by custom. If the husband remains silent for a period during which it is highly probable he would not remain silent unless he were content, then that is considered contentment. Li'an can only take place before a ruler. If the husband's right to li'an lapses, he must repent to Allah.