سوال

Two years ago, I had some issues with my wife, and somehow she obtained Khula from the court in my absence, stating false things about me. The Khula was granted while I was already in America. I tried everything, but she is pressuring through the court and insisting that they obtained a fatwa — however, they haven't shared it with me. When one of my Madarsa friends called, they didn’t produce the fatwa and were lying about it.

Now, I want a proper fatwa regarding this Khula that I can share with my wife and in-laws.

She left my house without my permission or consent, which is why I was not sending her any money. However, I was still taking care of my children through financial support and other means. Alhamdulillah, I have been regularly sending my children's expenses for the past one and a half years.

اَلجَوَابْ بِاسْمِ مُلْہِمِ الصَّوَابْ

Khula(خلع) is considered a financial contract (‘Aqd Mālī), similar to other commercial transactions(uqood e Mali’a) in Islamic law. In Khula, the wife seeks release from the marital bond in exchange for a financial compensation, usually her mahr (dower). Just as mutual offer and acceptance (ijab and qabul) is essential for the validity of other financial contracts, it is also a Shariah requirement for Khula that both spouses – or their legal representatives(وکلاء) – express mutual consent.

        If the offer and acceptance are clearly made by both parties (husband and wife or their authorized representatives), then such a Khula is Shariah-compliant and valid, and it results in one irrevocable divorce (ṭalāq bā’in). However, if Khula is granted by a court without the consent or acceptance of the husband, whether orally or in writing, such a unilateral court decree cannot be considered a valid Khula under Islamic law, because Shariah mandates the consent of both spouses.

        Therefore, in the case mentioned, if the details provided are accurate, the unilateral decision of Khula (divorce) issued by the court based on a one-sided statement is not valid. Your wife is still considered to be in your Nikah (marriage).

      That said, there are instances where the court’s decree of Khula is based on valid grounds that may amount to Faskh al-Nikāḥ (annulment or dissolution of marriage). This applies in situations where the husband is:

   Impotent,( نامرد ہو), Insane( مجنون (پاگل) ہو),Missing/absent (mafqūd)(لاپتہ ہو) or Cruel and negligent, such as failing to provide financial support In the case where the wife is living in her home or inflicting harm. ( بیوی پر ظلم کرتا ہو یا اس کے گھر میں ہونے کی صورت میں نان و نفقہ فراہم نہ کرتا ہو۔)

        In such cases, if the wife presents valid Shariah-based evidence and witnesses before the court, and the necessary Shariah conditions are met, the court’s decree may then be recognized as Faskh e Nikah (dissolution) in Shariah. However, if these Shariah conditions are not fulfilled, such a unilateral court decision cannot be deemed valid either as a Khula or a Faskh e Nikah.

القرآن الکریم (229/01):

       فإن خفتم أن لا يقيمـا حدود الله فلا جناح عليهما فيما افتدت به، تلك حدود الله فلا تعتدوها ومن يتعد حدود الله فأولئك هم الظالمون۔

فتح القدير للكمال بن الهمام - ط الحلبي (4/ 211):

(وإذا ‌تشاق ‌الزوجان وخافا أن لا يقيما حدود الله فلا بأس بأن تفتدي نفسها منه بمال يخلعها به) لقوله تعالى {فلا جناح عليهما فيما افتدت به} (فإذا فعلا ذلك وقع بالخلع تطليقة بائنة ولزمها المال) لقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم "الخلع تطليقة بائنة"۔

بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع (3/ 145):

وأما ركنه فهو الإيجاب والقبول؛ لأنه ‌عقد ‌على ‌الطلاق ‌بعوض فلا تقع الفرقة، ولا يستحق العوض بدون القبول.

أحكام الأحوال الشخصية في الشريعة الإسلامية (ص165):

«وأما ‌القاضي ‌فلا ‌يطلق ‌الزوجة بناء على طلبها إلا في خمس حالات: نص القانون رقم 25 سنة 1920 على اثنتين منها: وهما التطليق لعدم الإنفاق، والتطليق للعيب. ونص القانون رقم 25 سنة 1929 على الثلاث الباقية وهي التطليق للضرر، والتطليق لغيبة الزوج بلا عذر، والتطليق لحبسه.