In Islam, talaq is seen as an undesirable practice. But in rare cases, a couple may feel that their marriage is not working, and in this situation, divorce is allowed. However, there is a prescribed method laid down by the Quran (2: 229). That is, a divorce is finalised over a period of time. In the first month, the husband tells his wife that he has pronounced talaq once. Both then wait for a month during which they could reconcile. After the first month, he may either revoke the talaq or pronounce it a second time. Both wait for another month, at the end of which, if he pronounces a third talaq, the divorce becomes final.
There is a hadith about marriage: Copy Arabic text (Sunan Abu Dawood 2178) The thing most abhorrent in God's eyes is divorce.
Although divorce is permissible, it is detested.
I used to often think why divorce is abhorrent, even though it is allowed under the law of necessity. I found the answer in another hadith. According to a hadith, Iblis, the leader of satans, once held a gathering on the sea. Perhaps, satans from all over the world gathered there. Iblis enquired them about their actions. One of them says that he got someone killed, another talks about some other evil he instigated. Iblis doesn’t give any importance to their actions. Then one of the satans says that he went after a married couple and created rift between them until they got divorced.
Iblis then replied: Copy arabic text (Yes you have done something!) In marriage, two persons come together to become companions. But if they later get divorced, that is satan's victory. Divorce is satan's victory. In the beginning of creation, Iblis had issued a challenge to God: Copy arabic text (17.62) I will bring all but a few of Adam's descendent under my sway.
Divorce is an example of this.
I tried to go deeper. I was reminded of a verse which speaks about marriage: Copy arabic text (30.21) God has placed affection and kindness between husband and wife. This affection exists only in human beings, not in animals. Animals do have relationships, as in birds and other creatures, but there is no strong affection among them as exists in humans. Thinking about these matters, I realized that marriage is directly related to the creation plan of God. Where marriage breaks down, it directly affects and jeopardizes the creation plan of God.
