A Rational Review of Triple Talaq: Understanding Sharia Law

Rational Review of Triple Talaq: Sharia, Logic, and Reconciliation

The arguments from the Quran and Hadith indicate that a person is entitled to give only one divorce at a time. He can give a second divorce at a later time, and a third divorce at another. By structuring divorce in this way, Allah has safeguarded the relationship between husband and wife because the first or second divorce allows the husband to reconcile. If reconciliation is not possible, a new marriage can bring them together. This is why it is prohibited to expel the wife from the home during the waiting period (iddah); perhaps Allah will bring about a change, and the couple may reunite.

Giving three divorces together is prohibited by Sharia, and if anyone gives three divorces in one go, they do not count as three separate ones—only one divorce takes place. Even from a logical perspective, it’s understood that such a decision could lead to the destruction of two lives in one sudden blow. This is why, ever since the topic of triple talaq has made headlines in the subcontinent, non-Muslims have used it as a major point of objection against Islam.

Today, it has reached a point where the Muslim Personal Law Board and the Hanafi organizations, due to their actions regarding triple talaq, have caused the Muslim community to fall into complex difficulties. The stance of Ahl al-Hadith regarding triple talaq aligns with the position of the Quran and Hadith. If this stance is acknowledged globally and centrally, not only will the lives of couples be protected from destruction, but it will also help resolve the critical challenges the Muslim Ummah is facing.

The practice of halala, as a result of triple talaq, has driven many women to suicide, caused others to live with lifelong shame, and made many innocent women victims of the lust of strangers. Cruel individuals were given the perfect opportunity to play with the honor and dignity of women, and this led to a disgrace that non-Muslims used to ridicule Muslims.

Still, despite this, there seems to be no inclination to change the position on triple talaq and halala at the central level. Maulana Badreldeen Ajmal has argued that if someone shoots three bullets at another, can you say that the person won’t be hurt? The person is dead, and yet you claim nothing has happened. This argument may seem persuasive to Hindus, but it is equivalent to denying Sharia. Often, the Hanafis present this as a rational argument for triple talaq, and many people believe it to be a valid point. Let us examine this rational argument and delve deeper to understand it.

Islam is based on the Quran and Hadith, not on human reasoning. As Hazrat Ali (RA) said, if religion were based on personal opinions and reasoning, it would have been more appropriate to wipe over the shoes from below rather than above. Without a doubt, I have seen the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) wipe over his shoes from above. Therefore, in Sharia, we must set aside our reasoning. If we have abundant logic, it should be used for worldly matters, where we can make new discoveries, inventions, and contribute to the welfare of the Muslim Ummah. If only this were the case.

Nevertheless, let’s assume a husband shoots three bullets at his wife in a fit of rage. And in another case, a husband gives three divorces to his wife verbally. Now the question arises: will both wives die or just the one who was shot? Clearly, even a nursery child would say that the woman shot with a bullet would die, while the one who was divorced will not. The difference between a bullet and a divorce is now clear. If a woman is shot, she dies, then, according to Badreldeen Ajmal and those who think like him, should the woman also die from one divorce, because just as three bullets can cause death, so should one divorce have the same effect? If not, then why bring up the example of a bullet in relation to divorce?

The fundamental point is that religion is not subject to human reasoning. Accepting that one talaq is valid in a single sitting is based on the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. Let us continue by exploring the impact of talaq.

Let’s imagine the government has given us a gun and restricted us from shooting anyone’s body with it, but we can shoot someone in the foot to save their life. Now, whether a person shoots three bullets or three thousand, their life remains safe, and the effect of the bullet will still be there. Similarly, Allah has ordained that talaq should occur in separate instances, not all at once. This method protects the life of the relationship, providing an opportunity for reconciliation. This is the protection of life.

Now, let’s examine the effect of a bullet in relation to religious rules. If we were to disregard reasoning and free it to shape our religion, people might deny many religious matters, consider some outdated, or add new elements. But our religion, revealed by Allah, is above human reasoning. This is a natural, divine religion. The example of Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) is relevant here. When the incident of Isra and Miraj occurred, the disbelievers tried to reason it out, but Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) said, “If Muhammad (PBUH) has said it, then it is true,” even though he had not yet heard the details. Glory be to Allah!

Now, is the effect of triple talaq the same as the effect of a bullet? We’ve already examined that the woman who is shot will die, while the one given talaq will not. Does triple talaq have an effect? Yes, it does, and we accept the effect as it was revealed by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), without adding anything from our own logic.

In the context of religious rules, let’s consider the example of prayer. Allah has made prayers obligatory at their specific times. If a muezzin calls for all five prayers at once and the imam leads them all in a single session, would this be correct? Will all five prayers be counted? The answer is no; only one prayer at its proper time will be valid. Likewise, Allah has given us the power to divorce, but it is regulated by rules. One cannot issue more than one divorce at the same time. If someone issues two or three divorces together, they will not be counted, as they have exceeded the limit of their authority. Only the one divorce issued will be valid.

Let’s look at this from another perspective: one husband shoots ten bullets at his wife, and another husband gives ten divorces. Will the effect be the same or different? The answer is clear from above. Another answer would be this: If one husband shoots his wife with ten bullets, the effect will be ten bullets. But if another gives ten divorces, will the effect be the same? My guess is that this would leave those advocating for triple talaq with no answer but confusion.

From all these arguments, the fallacy of comparing talaq to a bullet becomes evident. A wise person will adhere strictly to the teachings of the religion, while those who act foolishly will worship their logic and inject it into the religion, leading themselves and others to destruction.

I sincerely apologize if anyone accuses me of rejecting logic in religion and then using reasoning on triple talaq. I have not introduced logic into religion; rather, I have provided a rational critique of those who insert their logic into religious matters. I also apologize for stating that this article is not written out of hostility to anyone but to warn those who mock the religion and to prevent others from falling into this trap.