Divorce, legally, is not the end of life.
Divorce can be a complex and painful process, but with proper planning and support, it can be transformed into an opportunity for growth and self-improvement. The goal of healthy divorce is to ensure that all parties exit the relationship with minimal psychological and emotional damage, while maintaining a supportive and loving environment for children. Islam encourages attempts at reconciliation between spouses before resorting to divorce, with the possibility of involving arbitrators from each party's family to try to resolve disputes.
The reasons for divorce in Islam can vary and may include:
- Ongoing marital disputes and inability to reach a compromise.
- Physical or psychological abuse.
- Failure to provide or neglecting marital duties.
- Infertility or health issues preventing childbirth.
- Adultery or marital infidelity.
- Change of religion or apostasy.
Divorce affects the mental health of both spouses and children, with a focus on the importance of psychological support during and after the divorce. Divorce in Islam is governed by strict legal controls aimed at protecting the rights of all concerned parties, especially women and children. Divorce must be pronounced explicitly and clearly, and during the divorce, the 'iddah period (a specific period after menstrual cycle) must be observed to ensure there is no pregnancy. Islam encourages dealing with divorce with kindness and justice, respecting human dignity and the financial rights of the divorced woman.
Divorce should be done with sincere intention and not in a state of anger or temporary emotion, and it is preferable that it be done in the presence of two just witnesses. Islamic divorce also requires the completion of the payment of the wife's dowry (if it has not been fully paid before the divorce) as well as the payment of alimony owed to her and her children after the divorce.
Islam urges addressing the psychological and economic impacts on both spouses and children and working to minimize them as much as possible, providing psychological and social support for the divorced through consulting with psychologists, lawyers, and other specialists to guide both spouses and children during and after the divorce process.
It is necessary to maintain mutual respect and dignity of both parties to avoid conflicts and defamation, and to maintain good family relationships after divorce, especially when there are children involved, in order to achieve psychological and social stability after divorce for both spouses and children on one hand, and to preserve the social fabric of the country they live in on the other hand.
