Question:
My husband and I had a love marriage, and I left my home and moved to [private] to live with him. We have had many marriage problems, violent fights, and him flirting on the internet only six months into our marriage. At two and a half years I discovered him looking for second wife through sms match making. We both feel divorce may be a solution, but not sure. What should we do? Thank you, Allah bless you.
Answer:
If he beat you, withheld financial support or shelter, or deliberately absented himself for more than four months, then you have every right to ask for divorce. If none of this took place then this drastic step should be avoided. If there is any chance of improvement then Islamic marriage counseling is the best course in such a case.
If you both decide to go ahead with divorce then divorce should be pronounced by him once, when you are in a state of purity, after which you continue to live under the same roof for four months, in separate beds. If no reconciliation takes place during that time you may then return to your parents and the divorce is complete.
Hajj Gibril Haddad
