Is it permissible for a fiancée who does not wish to complete the marriage, and who was coerced into the engagement, to request an absentee divorce, and what is the procedure for an absentee divorce?
If it is merely an engagement, either party may break it, especially if there is a legitimate reason to do so. However, it is disliked to break an engagement without need. If the aqd shar'i (Islamic marriage contract) has been performed, then it is not permissible for the wife to seek divorce without a legitimate reason. If the wife dislikes her husband and fears she may neglect his rights, she may seek khulʿ (divorce at the wife's instance, usually with compensation), or she may ask him for a divorce. If he does not respond, she may refer the matter to the Sharia court.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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