FatwaFederal TerritoriesMarriage & Family
AL-KAFI #1148: WAJIBKAH CERAI ISTERI IKUT KEHENDAK IBU?
Is a man obliged to divorce his wife if his mother demands it?
Short answer
A son is not obliged to divorce his wife merely because a parent orders it.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Marriage & Family
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
A son is not obliged to divorce his wife merely because a parent orders it. Divorce is generally permissible but disliked, and it is only recommended where the parent's request is reasonable and not excessive, as stated in Shafii references. Obedience to parents remains obligatory but has limits, as there is no obedience in matters of disobedience to God. The son is advised to treat his mother kindly and patiently while preserving his marriage.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
adalah tidak wajib untuk mentalakkan isteri apabila disuruh oleh ibu bapa sebagaimana yang diterangkan.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “AL-KAFI #1148: WAJIBKAH CERAI ISTERI IKUT KEHENDAK IBU?”, 13 March 2019. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/3194-al-kafi-1148-wajibkah-cerai-isteri-ikut-kehendak-ibu. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/must-divorce-wife-if-mother-demands/