Is a civil divorce in Canada sufficient, or must the wife also be divorced Islamically?
A Sunnah divorce involves divorcing the wife with a single pronouncement during a period of purity (Tuhr) in which he has not had intercourse with her, or while she is pregnant. He then leaves her until her 'iddah (waiting period) expires, at which point she becomes irrevocably divorced from him with a minor separation (baynunah sughra). He cannot take her back except with a new contract and a new mahr (dowry). Divorce requires verbal pronouncement or written documentation accompanied by the intention of divorce; it does not occur by mere intention. It is permissible to appoint an agent for divorce, and if the agent pronounces or writes the divorce, the divorce occurs.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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