Types of Divorce

13 Grade 8 Religious Education (IRE) questions on Types of Divorce, with worked marking schemes. 13 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   A divorce annulled or dissolved through the intervention of an Islamic judge (Qadhi), for example due to the husband's cruelty or failure to provide, is known as:

   A. Talaq raj'i

   B. Mubarat

   C. Faskh

   D. Khul'

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   A revocable divorce, in which the husband may take back his wife during her waiting period without a new marriage contract, is known as:

   A. Khul'

   B. Talaq ba'in

   C. Faskh

   D. Talaq raj'i

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   6 marks

   After studying family law, Fatima wants to understand that even where divorce becomes necessary, Islam has organised it to protect both spouses.

   (a) Identify two types of divorce in Islam. (2 marks)

   (b) Describe the difference between talaq raj'i (revocable divorce) and talaq ba'in (irrevocable divorce). (4 marks)

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Any two: talaq raj'i (revocable divorce); talaq ba'in (irrevocable divorce); khul' (divorce initiated by the wife by returning the mahr); talaq sunni (pronounced once during a clean period); talaq bid'i (innovated/irregular form). (2 marks) (b) Talaq raj'i is a revocable divorce - it occurs after the first or second pronouncement; during the wife's iddah (waiting period of about three menstrual cycles) the husband may take her back without a new marriage contract, as Allah mentions the husbands' right to take them back if they wish reconciliation (Q 2:228-229). Talaq ba'in is irrevocable - the couple cannot resume the marriage simply by reconciliation; a new nikah (marriage contract with new mahr) is required. In the case of the third (final) divorce, the wife cannot remarry her former husband until she has been validly married to and divorced by another man (Q 2:230). (4 marks)

4. Question 4

   1 mark

   The Arabic term for divorce initiated and pronounced by the husband is:

   A. Nikah

   B. Faskh

   C. Khul'

   D. Talaq

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   6 marks

   A married couple in the community are experiencing serious disagreements. The local imam is asked to explain the different forms divorce may take in Islam so that the family is treated justly.

   (a) Distinguish between Talaq Raj'i (revocable divorce) and Talaq Ba'in (irrevocable divorce). (4 marks)

   (b) State two situations in which a wife may seek to end a marriage through Khul'. (2 marks)

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Distinction (2 marks each): - Talaq Raj'i (revocable): This is divorce pronounced once or twice. During the wife's waiting period (iddah) the husband may take her back (reconcile) without a new marriage contract or dowry. The marriage is not fully ended until the iddah expires. - Talaq Ba'in (irrevocable): The marriage bond is fully broken. After a minor ba'in the couple may only remarry with a new contract and dowry; after a major ba'in (the third divorce), the husband cannot remarry her until she has been validly married to and divorced by another husband (Q2:230). (b) Two situations for Khul' (1 mark each): - When the wife strongly dislikes the husband or fears she cannot fulfil her marital duties / Allah's limits. - When there is harm, incompatibility, or she can no longer continue the marriage – she returns the dowry (or agreed amount) to be released, as in the hadith of the wife of Thabit ibn Qais (Bukhari).

6. Question 6

   1 mark

   An irrevocable divorce, after which the husband cannot take the wife back except through a new marriage contract, is known as:

   A. Talaq ba'in

   B. Khul'

   C. Talaq raj'i

   D. Ila

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   In a family law lesson, the teacher explains a form of separation initiated by the wife, where she returns the dowry (mahr) or agrees on compensation to her husband in exchange for ending the marriage. What is this type of divorce called?

   A. Khul'

   B. Talaq al-sunnah

   C. Ila'

   D. Zihar

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   4 marks

   State four wisdoms (importance) behind the prescribed iddah (waiting period) after divorce in Islam.

   (4 marks)

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9. Question 9

   4 marks

   A husband has pronounced a single revocable divorce (talaq raj'i) on his wife.

   (a) Explain what talaq raj'i means.

   (b) State what the couple may do during the iddah period.

   (4 marks)

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10. Question 10

    6 marks

    Explain three reasons why a Muslim woman may seek Faskh (dissolution of marriage through the Qadhi).

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    2 marks each for any three explained: the husband fails to provide maintenance (nafaqah) for her; cruelty, abuse or mistreatment by the husband; prolonged absence or desertion by the husband; the husband suffers from a serious defect/illness that endangers the wife; failure to fulfil marital rights; impotence or inability to sustain the marriage. Accept relevant grounds.

11. Question 11

    1 mark

    The Prophet (SAW) said divorce is the most disliked of the permissible things to Allah. This teaches Muslims that divorce should be:

    A. A first solution to any disagreement

    B. A last resort after other efforts fail

    C. Encouraged in every marriage

    D. Forbidden completely

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    4 marks

    Differentiate between Talaq and Khul' as types of divorce in Islam.

    (4 marks)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    When a wife seeks to end the marriage by returning the dowry (mahr) to the husband in exchange for release, this type of divorce is called:

    A. Khul'

    B. Zihar

    C. Talaq

    D. Ila

    (1 mark)

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