Understanding the Requirements for a Valid Talaq in Islam
Question: A sister’s husband sent her one talaq notice through the court in February, followed by a second notice five months later, but he has not sent a third notice. Is she now free from the marriage? Can her parents arrange her marriage elsewhere, or does she need to receive the third talaq notice?
Answer: A talaq (divorce) does not require a notice or even three notices to be valid. As long as it is certain that the husband has issued a divorce, whether verbally, through a written document, or via a mobile message, the divorce is effective. Therefore, if the sister received the first talaq notice from the court, her iddah (waiting period) started from the date mentioned in that notice. After the completion of her iddah (three menstrual cycles), the divorce is finalized, and she is free to marry someone else. Based on the information in your question, it seems the second notice came five months later, so the iddah has already passed, and the sister is no longer in her husband’s marriage contract. Hence, she can remarry if she wishes.
Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah
Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia
Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail
