TALAQ means dissolution of marriage tie. TALAQ in its original sense means repudiation or rejection but under Muslim Law, it means a release from the marriage tie, immediately or eventually. It is a generic name for all kinds of divorce, but it is particularly applied to the repudiation by or on behalf of husband.
Moonshee Buzloor Rahim Vs. Laleefutoon Nisa
In this case it was said that under Muslim Law TALAQ is the mere arbitary act of a Muslim husband who can pronounce the word TALAQ at any time. It is not a necessary for him to obtain prior approval of his wife for the dissolution of his marriage.
So TALAQ is an act of repudiation of marriage by the husband in exercise of his power which has been conferred on him.
CONDITION FOR THE VALIDITY OF TALAQ
- AGE OF HUSBAND: Any Muslim husband who has attained puberty can give his wife ” TALAQ”.
- SOUND MINDED: Any Muslim person of sound mind, who has attained puberty can give ”TALAQ” his wife.
- DUMB PERSON PRONOUNCING TALAQ: A dumb may also effect TALAQ by intelligible signs.
- TALAQ WITH AN OPTION: According to Sunni Law reputation can’t be qualified by option. But according to Shia Law if TALAQ to which an option or a condition is attached then it is absolutely void.
- WITNESS: Under Sunni Law TALAQ do not require the presence of witness but in Shia Law it require.
- TALAQ UNDER COMPULSION : Under Muslim Law TALAQ pronounced under compulsion is void.
DIFFERENT MODES OF TALAQ
A TALAQ may be effected by the husband in any of the following modes———–
- TALAQ-UL-SUNNAT,
- TALAQ-UL-BIDDAT,
- ILA,
- ZIHAR.
TALAQ-UL-SUNNAT: TALAQ which is effected in accordance with the traditions of Prophet Muhammad , is known as TALAQ-UL-SUNNAT. Following are the two sub-division of TALAQ-UL-SUNNAT———-
a. Ahsan,
b. Hasan
AHSAN : The Arabic word ”AHSAN” means ‘best’ or ‘very proper’. So it is the best kind or most approved mode of TALAQ. The conditions to be in AHSAN form are as follows——
- The husband must pronounce the formula of TALAQ in a single sentence.
- The husband must pronounce the word TALAQ in the state of purity or in TUHR. TUHR means a period when a woman is free from her menstrual course.
- The husband must abstain from sexual intercourse for the period of IDDAT.
HASAN: The Arabic word HASAN means ‘good’ or ”proper”. A TALAQ pronounced in HASAN form is of lesser worth than the TALAQ in AHSAN form. To be in HASAN form ,the conditions are as follows—-
- There must be three successive pronouncement of the formula of divorce,
- In the case of menstruating wife, the first pronouncement should be made during a period of TUHR, the second during the next TUHR. And the third during the succeeding TUHR.
- In the case of non-menstruating wife, the pronouncement should be made during the successive interval of 30 days.
- No sexual intercourse should take place during these three periods of TUHR.
TALAQ-UL-BIDDAT: TALAQ-UL-BIDDAT is disapproved mode of TALAQ. It is sinful and irregular form of divorce. It was introduced by OMEYYADS to escape the strictness of law.
Shias and Malikis sect. of Islam do not recognize TALAQ-UL-BIDDAT.
Shias and Malikis sect. of Islam do not recognize TALAQ-UL-BIDDAT. But the Sunni Law recognize TALAQ-UL-BIDDAT , though it is sinful for them.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN TALAQ-UL-BIDDAT ?
- Three pronouncement made during a single TUHR either in one sentence,
- A single pronouncement made during a TUHR clearly indicating an intention irrevocable to dissolve the marriage.
3. ILA: WHAT IS ILA ?
ILA means vow of continence. When a sound minded ,major husband will have not have sexual intercourse with his wife and leaves the wife, to observe IDDAT ,he is said to be make ILA. It is valid ILA if the husband says to his wife,” I swear by God, that I shall not approach tee’.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS OF ILA ?
- The husband must be of sound mind and must have attained majority.
- The husband should take a vow or by God,
- The husband will not have sexual intercourse with his wife,
- The husband should abstain from sexual intercourse.
KINDS OF TALAQ-UL BIDDAT
- WRITTEN DIVORCE,
- TRIPLE DIVORCE.
WHAT IS WRITTEN DIVORCE ?
Written divorce is generally done through ”TALAQNAMA” with the presence of witnesses.
TRIPLE DIVORCE
It is recognized but disapproved form of divorce. The children born after the triple divorce are illegitimate.
ZIHAR
Zihar means injurious Assimilation. If a sane and adult husband compares his wife to his mother or any other female within a prohibited degree, the wife has a right to refuse herself to him until he has performed penance. In default of expiation by the penance, the wife has a right to apply for a judicial divorce, called MULLA.
WHAT ARE THE LEGAL EFFECTS OF ZIHAR ?
- Sexual intercourse becomes unlawful,
- Husband is rendered liable to expiation by penance,
- The wife can claim judicial separation if the husband persists in wrong doing.
This form of divorce is no longer used.