1. After the first and/or second divorce, if the wife was not taken back within the idda period for a consummation, the marriage stands dissolved and if the husband wants to take her back after the iddda period, he can do so by means of a fresh marriage contract. In this case the idda period was over and two instances of idda (we presume) had been pronounced by the husband and she was not taken back within the limitation and as such the divorce had become final. The wife could have remarried another person if she opted to do so then. Supposing if the wife had remarried, how then she will place a claim that her earlier divorce with her former husband is not valid?

2. A divorce under duress, under drunken mood is valid. So is the case of the wife obtaining the same by placing lie and untrue stories.

3. Supposing if the third divorce, say in the form of khula was obtained, for which the husband's consent is a must, she then also, ost her lost chance of uniting with her former husband. In this case what she caan do, she should remarry another, get consummated and then get divorce from him, observe iddat and then remarry her former husband, if he is so generous to accept her.

4. If on the other hand, if the third divorce was obtained through FASKH (Judicial divorce), the Kazi or the judge sitting over judgement must have powers to do. For instance, in India, only a civil court can give such a divorce.

What we learn from the above is that divorce is not just like take an thorugh. Its a matter both the husband and wife should think of a hundred times, go through the formalities mentioned in Sura Nisa (steps of reconcliation) and then only the final decision should have to be take.

If this is the case with men, women should be more carreful. In this case, she is admitted to have told lie to the mulla. How can you expect decency from her then, if just to quench her thurst of divorcing her husband, she went to such an extent?

I advise that she seek forgiveness from Allah and ask His guidance in her dua.

Allah will guide her, which we pray.

Allahu a'lam.

Wassalamu alaikum ahlan va marhaban bikum.

(You may viist my site http://www.shariath.com, a site for Muslim personal law-related matters)

Jazakallah

Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullah

It is somewhat of a confusing story. Divorce in Islam is in the man's hand. If he says the words "I divorce you", then immediately the divorce has taken place and the woman enters the "iddah" period where she should stay in the home until three menstrual periods have passed, or until a baby is born if she is pregnant at the time. This is a valid divorce; the man only has to say the divorce one time, and even if he says it three times, it counts as one divorce. It is not necessary, if the man has pronounced the divorce, for the woman to seek a khua, a realease from marriage. If he does not take her back during the 'iddah (and by taking back, this means having marital intercourse with her), then the divorce is final once the 'iddah is over. If he took her back, then that is one divorce, and then if he pronounced the talaaq again, the 'iddah starts over. If he took her back during the second 'iddah, then this counts as two divorces but she is still married to him. Only if this is the case and she still wants a divorce would she need to resort to the khula.

If the man was only saying something like "Yes, I'll divorce you if you want" but he did not intend a divorce and did not say he was divorcing, then most likely no divorce took place. If the woman went to the judge and asked for a khula, if the khula is based on false evidence, there is a difference of opinion on whether the divorce is valid. A woman need not have a particular reason for wanting a divorce. She can simply say "I do not like him, and though he is an okay guy, it will negatively affect my Imaan if I stay married to him" , then she can divorce. The reason is between her and Allah, and Allah will punish her severely if she divorces for no good reason, but that reason should not be decided by the court. If she says "I cannot tolerate to be married to him" they should grant the khula. So she could have simply told the truth. Does the lie, the accusation of abuse, invalidate the khula? She should return to the same court where the khula took place, confess to her lie, and ask the judge or a similarly qualified person to resolve the issue.

One would hope that her husband / ex-husband would keep track of the situation. He believes he is divorced, and this will complicate life for him. If she is divorced, he need take no further action. If the judge rules that the divorce is not valid due to the lie, then he can simply pronounce the talaaq and be done with it.

This woman sounds like she is confused and does not have a good knowledge of her responsibilities as a Muslim woman and a wife. I doubt seriously there would be any benefit from her ex-husband to cause chaos in his present marriage by accepting her back. She should repent to Allah for her past lies and try to become a better person, because in the current situation she would not make an appropriate wife for anyone. It is a complex situation but can only be resolved by her being honest with herself and starting fresh, without disrupting the life of her ex five years on. And Allah knows best.

Fi Aman Allah,

Noorah