Back to search

Do the wife's actions—such as her excessive questioning, her immodest outings without permission, and her rejection of advice under the pretext of "actions are judged by intentions"—constitute legitimate Shar'i reasons that permit her husband to divorce her?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Divorce is permissible when there is a need for it, such as due to a wife's bad character or poor companionship. If the wife is negligent in her duties and commits forbidden acts, like being lax with her hijab and going out perfumed and adorned, then the husband must prevent her from doing so, in accordance with his guardianship. A wife is not allowed to go out without her husband's permission, and if she goes out, she must be modest. Her claiming good intention is invalid because intention does not rectify corrupt actions. If the husband is unable to prevent her from committing forbidden acts, then divorcing her is recommended, and it may even be obligatory. However, it is preferable for the husband not to rush into divorce, but to strive to reform her through admonition, then by abandoning her in bed, and then by light, non-injurious beating. Divorce should be the last resort.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy