Introduction

For understanding the methods of dissolution of marriage, lets first see what is marriage
under Muslim law because the only essential for divorce under Muslim law is marriage. The
dissolution of marriage is known as divorce.

Marriage Under Muslim Law is a contractual relationship between two parties. All the
essentials that are required for a contract are present under Muslim Marriage. There is an
offer, acceptance, consent, consideration, the capacity of parties, etc. The purpose of such a
form of marriage are:-

•Legalising sexual intercourse.

•Procreation of children.

Divorce is the end of such a marital relationship, as under Muslim law there are two modes
given for the dissolution of marriage-

•Divorce
•Talaq

In daily life, these two terms are alternatively used, but under Muslim law, if a person seeks
“divorce”, he will be governed by the provisions of Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act,
1939. Whereas, “Talaq” proceedings are governed by Muslim Personal Laws.

Classification of Dissolution of Marriage

Above the table is provides a brief view about the different kinds of methods for dissolution of
marriage under Muslim law.
By Husband
There are four modes available before a husband for dissolving the tie of marriage:

1. Talaq- ul- Sunnat

This form of talaq is effective in accordance with the traditions established by the Prophet. It
is further divided into two parts:-

•Ahsan(Most approved)

It is known as the best form of talaq as the name clarifies the same. The procedure followed
by the husband is as follows –

•He has to make a pronouncement of divorce in a single sentence, such

pronouncement must be made in a purity state(when a woman is free from her
menstrual cycle).
•A husband must not indulge in any form of sexual intercourse during the iddat
period(period of chastity a Muslim woman is bound to observe after the dissolution
of marriage, either by the death of her husband or by divorce) and if he does so,
then it will be considered as implied revocation of talaq. It is pertinent to note that
once the iddat period has expired, the divorce becomes irrevocable.
 •When the partners have not consummated, talaq-e-Ahsan can be pronounced even
if the wife is in her menstruation.

•Hasan(approved)

The Arabic meaning of Hasan is good, therefore divorce pronounces through Hasan mode is
a good but lesser worth than the one pronounced in Ahsan. Husband has to make three
successive pronouncements for divorce.

•In the case of a menstruating wife, such three pronouncements should be made in
three consecutive tuhr(state of purity).
•In the case of a non-menstruating wife, pronouncement should be made at three
successive intervals of 30 days.

No sexual intercourse should take place during these periods of three pronouncements and
if such an act takes place then the process of divorce will be revoked.

Talaq Hasan becomes irrevocable on the third pronouncement irrespective of iddat period.

2. Talaq-ul- Biddat
This form of talaq is introduced by “Umayyads” in order to escape from the strictness of Law.
This is a sinful form of talaq, as it is recognised among the Hanafis. Sunni law recognises
this mode of talaq, though recognised as sinful by that too. Whereas Shias and Malikis do not
recognise this mode.

•Three pronouncements made in a single tuhr either in a single sentence or in

separate sentences eg. “Talaq, talaq, talaq” or “I divorce thee, I divorce thee, I
divorce thee.”
•Single pronouncement clearly indicates an intention to dissolve a marriage and makes
it irrevocable. It is usually pronounced as – “I divorce thee irrevocably”.

Partners separated through triple talaq can’t remarry without the formality of the woman
marrying another man and getting divorced from him, this process is called Nikah Halala.

In the recent judgement of Shayara Bano vs Union Of India And Ors., Supreme Court of
India declared that the practice of triple talaq is unconstitutional, as this form of Talaq is
violative of the fundamental right provided under Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

• Ila (Vow of Continence) nirantharathe prathigne

The situation wherein a husband who is of sound mind and has attained the age of majority
swears in the name of God that he will not have sexual intercourse with his wife and leaves
her to observe iddat, he is said to make Ila.

If the husband resumes sexual intercourse within the iddat period being observed by wife, it
will lead to cancellation of Ila It is pertinent to note that Ila is not practised in India.

• Zihar (injurious Assimilation) haanikaraka somyojane

A husband must be of sound mind and above the age of 18 years to be eligible to use this
mode dissolution of marriage. If he compares his wife to his mother or any of the female
within prohibited degrees, the wife has a right to refuse to have sexual intercourse with him.
Such refusal can be accepted until he has expiated himself from penance prescribed by
law. Muta marriage(practised among Shias) which admits no other sort of divorce may be
dissolved by zihar.

Such form of divorce is no longer in use anymore.

Talaq by the wife

Divorce given by wife under the husband’s delegated power.

• Talaq-e-tafweez
This is the only way through which a woman can give divorce to his husband, however, such
power to give divorce needs to be delegated by the husband only. It is a form of
an agreement made either before or after marriage providing that wife will be privileged to
get separated from her husband via divorce under the specified condition as:-

1. In case the husband marries a second wife

2. The husband is unable to maintain her for a specified period of time any other
condition that must not be opposed to public policy.

If the conditions agreed in the agreement by the husband are well practised by him then, the
wife without any prejudice to Law can dissolve her marital ties.

The fact that husband delegates the power to the wife does not dispossess him of his right
pronounce talaq.
Divorce by Mutual Consent
Although the practice of giving Divorce by mutual consent was not recognised in the Muslim
Law, it was only available to the Muslim women after the enactment of Dissolution of
Muslim Marriages Act, 1939.

1. Khula
The literal meaning of khula is “to lay down” before the law. The husband lays down his
right over his wife. It signifies an arrangement entered into to dissolve a connubial
connection in lieu of compensation paid by the wife to her husband out of her property,
everything that can be given as dower.

Khula is a divorce with mutual consent and at the instance of a wife in which she agrees to
give some consideration to her husband. It is basically a “redemption” of the contract of
marriage.

Essentials

•There must be an offer from the wife’s side

•Offer must be accepted by the husband with the consideration for it.
•Observance of the iddat period is necessary.

Under Shia law, husband can’t revoke divorce once accepted whereas the wife has been
given the power to reclaim the consideration during the iddat period.

2. Mubarat
It signifies mutual discharge from the marital tie. The most essential element is that the
mutual consent of both the partners is required in regards to the dissolution of marriage.

In this mode of divorce-

•Offer can be made from either of the sides.

•Acceptance of offer makes divorce irrevocable.
•Iddat is necessary

Under Shia law, parties can dissolve their marriage, if it is not possible for them to continue
their marriage by way of mubarat.
The last mode mentioned in the above table for dissolution of marriage is, by way of judicial
separation.

Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939.

Further, there are two ways-

• Lian
Lian can simply be described as the wrong charge of adultery on wife by her husband.
Whenever a husband imposes false adultery charges on his wife, then a wife can sue him and
can also obtain a divorce on the same ground under the Act, by filing a regular suit for
dissolution of marriage. In case of Zafar Husain v Ummat – ur – Rahman, Allahabad High
Court held that a wife under Muslim law is entitled to file a suit against her husband for
dissolution of marriage and can obtain decree on the ground that she was falsely charged
with adultery by him.

Essentials

•A husband must be adult and sane.

•He charges his wife of adultery.
•Such a charge must be false.
•False charges do not ipso facto (by that fact itself) dissolve the marriage, it just
provides a ground to the wife to move to the court to dissolve the marriage.
•Marriage will continue until the decree for dissolution of marriage is passed by the
court.
•Judicial seperation via mode of lian is irrevocable.
•This mode is applicable only to Sahih marriages not on fasid ones.

Retraction can be made by the husband before the end of the trial, admitting that he made
the charge of adultery against her wife and such charge was false.

• Faskh
Quran says that husband and wife are duty bound to respect each other and treat each other
respectfully and obey all lawful orders of each other.

If both of them find that they can’t live as husband and wife further, they can approach qazi
who after careful examination may terminate their marriage.
Section 2 of Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939 states nine grounds on which a Muslim
wife can obtain a decree of divorce:-

Absence of Husband– whereabouts of the husband are not known from the past four
years. Dissolution of marriage decree on this ground will take effect after six months from
the date of such decree is passed, and during that period if the husband appears in person or
through an authorizes agent. Court if satisfied from same may set aside the said decree.

•Failure to maintain- If a husband fails to provide maintenance to his wife for two
years. There is no defence available before husband on the ground of poverty,
failing health or unemployment.
•Imprisonment of a husband- If the husband is imprisoned for seven years or
more.
•Failure to perform marital duties- If, without any reasonable cause, the husband
is unable to perform his marital obligations for three years.
•Impotency of husband- husband was impotent at the time of marriage and
continues to be so. If the husband within one year from the date of the order
obtained by wife for dissolution of marriage on the grounds of impotency on
application satisfies the Court that he ceased to be impotent. If the husband
satisfies the court, then no decree shall be passed on this ground.
•Insanity, leprosy or venereal disease- If the husband is insane or suffering from
leprosy, or any venereal disease from a period of two years, judicial divorce by wife
can be claimed on the same ground.
•Repudiation of marriage by wife- If a girl is married before the age of 15 years by
her father or guardian, then under Muslim law she has been provided with a right
to repudiate such marriage after attaining the age of 18 years provided that
marriage is not consummated. She is entitled to a decree of divorce for same.
•Grounds of dissolution recognised by Mohammedan Law- Wife is also entitled
to obtain a divorce on the ground recognised valid under the law.
•Cruelty by husband- if the husband treats his wife with cruelty, then she can
approach the Court and claim for a decree of judicial separation on the same
ground.

Some of the ways through which grounds for cruelty could be claimed as follows.

•Physical assault.
•Making defamatory statements affecting her reputation.
•Forces her to lead an immoral life.
•Obstructing her from practising her religion.
•Husband having more than one wife and does not treat them equally.
Talaqnama
Talaqnama is talaq given in the written form. Talaq via talaqnama can be provided in the
absence of wife and also there is no necessity to be signed in the presence of Qazi or wife’s
father.

•Husband has to execute a proper deed.

•A deed must contain the name of the women whom he has divorced and his name.

Points to be considered for a valid talaq

1. Talaq pronounced under intoxication is not recognised valid under Muslim law.
2. For a valid talaq, intention is not an essential element.
3. Husband may give talaq by mere words without any talaqnama or deed.

Talaq made during death illness

1. An ailing Muslim (generally men) has been given the power to pronounce talaq,
just to prevent his right of inheritance moving to his wife after his death.
2. If the man pronounces irrevocable talaq in death illness and dies before the expiry
of the iddat period, a wife is entitled to claim her share.
3. In case the husband dies after the expiry of the iddat period than there is no right
of inheritance.

Legal effects of divorce

•Mutual rights of inheritances cease.
•Cohabitation becomes illegal, and children born after such intercourse will be
illegitimate.
•Dower becomes immediately payable.
•Parties can contract another marriage.
•Wife is entitled to maintenance during the iddat period.

Conclusion
After the 2017 judgement of the supreme court held and declared triple
talaq unconstitutional, under Muslim law, both husband and wife are given equal rights to
dissolve their marital relationship.
When two people enter into a marital relationship, they might not know each other so well,
as they got to know each other after living together. And after that, if there is no
compatibility between the two, living apart is the best choice to be made.

Bad relations may spoil the life of both the individuals and under Muslim law, talaq is an
ancient practice and is not recognised as a sinful act, unlike under Hindu law.