Does a Wife’s Statement of “Forbidden Marriage” Lead to Divorce?

Understanding the Ruling on a Wife’s Words: “Our Marriage is Forbidden

Question: If a woman tells her husband that their marriage is forbidden or that he is forbidden to her in marriage, what is the ruling on this? Does it result in khula (divorce initiated by the wife) as anger-induced divorce is counted? The intention was not to seek khula but to scare the husband, but such clear words were used in the heat of the moment. What is the ruling on this according to the Quran and Sunnah?

Answer: If a wife tells her husband that their marriage is forbidden or that he is forbidden to her in marriage, it does not affect the marriage. Saying such things does not result in divorce or khula. Regardless of the intention, such statements do not lead to divorce or khula.

Even if the wife uses the word “divorce,” it does not result in divorce because divorce is the husband’s prerogative, and nothing happens by the wife’s words. Nevertheless, a Muslim should avoid using meaningless, offensive, and inappropriate words.

 Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (may Allah preserve him)

❪Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salama – Saudi Arabia❫