FatwaNationalMarriage & Family
Penceraian Melalui Sistem Pesanan Ringkas (SMS)
Is a divorce pronounced by SMS or email valid?
Short answer
A clear written talaq from a husband addressed specifically to his wife, including by fax, SMS or email, is treated as a kinayah talaq.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- National Fatwa Committee (JAKIM)
- Date
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Kompilasi Pandangan Hukum Muzakarah Jawatankuasa Fatwa MKI (JAKIM, terbitan 2016)
- Topic
- Marriage & Family
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
A clear written talaq from a husband addressed specifically to his wife, including by fax, SMS or email, is treated as a kinayah talaq. It is valid if accompanied by the intention to divorce. All divorces must be brought to the syariah court for confirmation, and using modern communication devices does not accord with the etiquette of divorce set out by Islamic law.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Talak dalam bentuk tulisan yang jelas daripada suami yang ditujukan kepada isterinya secara khusus seperti melalui faksimili, SMS, e-mel dan sebagainya merupakan talak secara kinayah dan ianya adalah sah sekiranya disertai dengan niat.
Read the full fatwa on the National website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
National Fatwa Committee (JAKIM). “Penceraian Melalui Sistem Pesanan Ringkas (SMS)”, 27 August 2003. https://www.islam.gov.my/images/ePenerbitan/KOMPILASI_MUZAKARAH_MKI_2016.pdf#penceraian-melalui-sistem-pesanan-ringkas-sms. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/is-talaq-by-sms-or-email-valid/