Introduction
Any discussion of marital relationships in Islam, should briefly mention the laws of divorce, since marriage and divorce are strongly related. The laws of divorce are among those laws shown in detail in the Qur'an along with the laws of marriage. It is also important to study the other forms of marriage dissolution besides divorce that are mentioned in the Qur'an and Hadith.
At-Talaq (Divorce)
Divorce is allowed in Islam. People, however, should not abuse this permission by seeking divorce without good reasons. Although if a couple divorces without reason it would still be considered lawful.
Many reasons could lead to family dissolution; including one's spouse committing adultery, dislike or hatred between spouses, apostasy by one of them, or inability or refusal of the husband to support his wife.
In Islam the man is the head of the household for many reasons. One of them being that he is responsible for all the financial expenses.
Allah (s.w.t.) said: {{Men are in charge of women, because Allah has made the one of them to excel to the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah has guarded.}} [Al-Qur'an: An-Nisa' (4:34)].
A man can divorce his wife by saying or writing an expression that can mean nothing else, such as "you are divorced" or "I am no longer your husband". The woman must hear it or read it.
Women have the right of divorce for the same reasons; such as fighting, incompatibility, inability to support, or adultery. However, women need to go to a Muslim judge to explain to him the reasons, and he will issue the divorce on accordance. A man can give his wife the right to divorce in the same way he can, by saying or writing it. This permission can be given to her in the marriage contract or later. The woman can also divorce her husband if she does not like him by paying back the dowry. A divorce from the woman's side is called Khul` in Islam.
The `Iddah of Al-Khul` is one menstruation period (or one month) to make sure that the woman is not pregnant. This is probably a loss of a chance open for making up and going back to each other without remarriage. When the divorce is issued by the husband, the couple can reunite without remarriage during the `Iddah that follows the first and second divorces.
Allah (s.w.t.) said: {{And if you fear that they may not be able to keep the limits of Allah, in that case it is no sin for either of them if the woman ransoms herself. These are the limits of Allah. Transgress them not. For whoso transgresses Allah's limits, such are wrongdoers.}} [Al-Qur'an: Al-Baqarah (2:229)].
If the husband is away from his wife longer than a certain period of time, the wife has the right to divorce him if she chooses. The length of the period is six months according to Imam Ahmad and one year according to Imam Malik. This indicates that Islam has a high regard for human needs, and Islam acknowledges that the absence of the husband for a long period of time can cause harm to the wife. If the judge knows where the husband is, he can send a letter to him asking him to come back; otherwise, a divorce would be issued. A similar divorce is issued on the request of the woman if her husband is sentenced to a long period of time in jail.
Divorce is invalid if the person who issued it was drunk, very angry, or forced into it, (by a gun for example). It would be invalid a man issued it by a mistake, during her menstruation period, or if the couple has had intercourse during the interval between her latest menstruation (if she menstruates) and the time the divorce is issued, because she might not know if she had conceived a child, and would not know when to begin calculating her `Iddah.
The couple can be divorced only three times. Divorcing all those three times means that the couple is not meant for each other and they should never marry each other again, unless she marries another man (for the purpose of marriage) and gets divorced for a good reason (not for remarrying the former husband). Allah knows well the intentions; it would be adultery if the woman remarried to divorce and remarry her first husband.
After the first divorce, the woman and the man cannot touch each other, but can live together if they choose to, for three monthly periods, three months if she does not have a period, or until the woman gives birth if she is pregnant.
This period is called `Iddah in Islam. In the case of widowing, the `Iddah is four months and ten days unless she is pregnant, in which case it will be until she gives birth.
There is no `Iddah if a man marries a woman and then divorces her before having intercourse with her. In this case, the couple cannot stay together after divorce If the man and woman touch each other either by kissing or intercourse, it will nullify the first divorce, and the couple will be considered reunited. If the `Iddah comes to an end without the couple resuming marital relations, they should not live together anymore.
If they choose to go back to each other after the `Iddah period, they must perform a new marriage. The same process applies to the second divorce. After the third divorce, they must leave each other permanently and immediately.
Staying together after the first or the second divorce can often help a couple reconcile, without any interference from other people. After a couple fights, it is naturally easier to apologize and reconcile when the couple is alone together with many opportunities to talk and work things out.
This method is far better than what often happens in many non-Islamic societies, where many people such as her lawyer, his lawyer, her new male friends, and his new female friends influence the decisions of the divorced husband and wife, making it nearly impossible for the couple to reconcile.
The husband is responsible to support the wife he divorced during the `Iddah but she does not have to cook or do anything for him, except not allow strangers in the house.
If the couple does not reconcile, the younger children stay with their mother if she chooses and if she is Muslim until they are old enough to choose which parent to stay with. If one parent is not qualified to raise them Islamically (for example, if he/she were a drunkard, non-Muslim, or insane), the other parent takes custody of the children. The father pays for the expenses of the children in either case if he can. If the woman chooses to breast-feed the infants, the man should pay her, if she requests it. The mother has the right to refuse to take the children, even if the father is insane or a drunkard. In this case, the fathers relatives take custody of them; if that is not possible the state decides the matter.
Allah (s.w.t.) said: {{The duty of feeding and clothing nursing mothers in a seemly manner is upon the father of the child.}} [Al-Qur'an: Al-Baqarah (2:233)].
Allah (s.w.t.) also said: {{Lodge them (the women) where you dwell, according to your wealth, and harass them not so as to restrain life for them. And if they are pregnant, then spend for them till they give birth. Then, if they breast-feed them for you, give them their due payment and consult together in kindness; but if you make difficult for one another, then let some other woman breast-feed for him (the father of the child). Let him who has abundance spend of his abundance, and he whose provision is measured, let him spend of that which Allah has given him. Allah asks naught of any soul save which that He has given it. Allah will vouchsafe, after hardship, ease.}} [Al-Qur'an: At-Talaq (65:6-7)].
In cases where reconciliation with the aid of a third party is needed, the Qur'an orders us to select a good person from her family and a good one from his to reconcile between the couple, and to bring peace to their home if they fight and seek divorce.
Property rights are not a problem, as each person keeps his/her account and property separate after marriage, and the man is responsible for the support of the family as long as the wife is fulfilling her duties as a mother and a wife. A woman has the option of working, provided she is fulfilling her duties as a mother and as a wife, and the working environment and the work type are consonant with the Islamic teachings. Whatever she earns in such cases is hers, since provision is a husband's duty. Each person knows his/her property without the complications of lawsuits.
The following Qur'anic verses address the issue of divorce, and other related issues such as `Iddah, remarriage, provision, and death of the husband.
Allah (s.w.t.) said: {{O Prophet! When you (men) divorce women, divorce them for their (legal) period, and keep your duty to Allah, your Lord. Expel them not from their houses nor let them go forth unless they commit open immorality. Such are the limits of Allah; and whoso transgresses Allah's limits, he verily wrongs his soul. You know not: it may be that Allah will afterward bring some new thing to pass.
Then, when they have reached their term, take them back in kindness or part from them in kindness, and call to witness two just men among you, and keep your testimony upright for Allah. Whoso believes in Allah and the Last Day is exhorted to act this. And whosoever keeps his duty to Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him.
And will provide for him from (a quarter) whence he has no expectation. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. Lo! Allah brings His commands to pass. Allah has set a measure for all things.
And for such of your women as despair of menstruation, if you doubt, their period (of waiting) shall be three months, along with those who have it not. And for those who are pregnant, their period shall be till they bring forth their burden. And whosoever keeps his duty to Allah, He makes his course easy for him.
That is the commandment of Allah which He reveals unto you. And whoso keeps his duty to Allah, he will remit from him his evil deeds and magnify reward for him.
Lodge them (the women) where you dwell, according to your wealth, and harass them not so as to restrain life for them. And if they are pregnant, then spend for them till they give birth. Then, if they breast-feed them for you, give them their due payment and consult together in kindness; but if you make difficult for one another, then let some other woman breast-feed for him (the father of the child).
Let him who has abundance spend of his abundance, and he whose provision is measured, let him spend of that which Allah has given him. Allah asks naught of any soul save which that He has given it. Allah will vouchsafe, after hardship, ease.}} [Al-Qur'an: At-Talaq (65:1-7)].
Allah (s.w.t.) also said: {{Women who are divorced shall wait, keeping themselves apart, three (monthly) courses. And it is not lawful for them that they should conceal that which Allah has created in their wombs if they are believers in Allah and the Last day. And their husbands would do better to take back in that case if they desire a reconciliation. And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them. Allah is Mighty, Wise.
Divorce must be pronounced twice and then (a woman) must be retained in honor or released in kindness. And it is not lawful for you that you take from women aught of that which you have given them; except (in the case) when both fear that they may not be able to keep the limits of Allah, in that case it is no sin for either of them if the woman ransoms herself. These are the limits of Allah. Transgress them not. For whoso transgresses Allah's limits, such are wrongdoers.
And if he has divorced her (the third time), then she is not lawful unto him thereafter until she has wedded another husband. Then if he (the other husband) divorces her, it is no sin for both of them that they come together again if they consider that they are able to observe the limits of Allah. These are the limits of Allah. He manifests them for people who have knowledge.
When you have divorced women, and they have reached their term, then retain them in kindness or release them in kindness. Retain them not to their hurt so that you transgress (the limits). He who does that has wronged his soul. Make not the revelations of Allah a laughingstock (by your behavior), but remember Allah's grace upon you and that which He has revealed unto you of the Scripture and of wisdom, whereby He does exhort you. Observe your duty to Allah and know that Allah is Aware of all things.
And when you have divorced women and they reach their term, place not difficulties in the way of their marrying their husbands if it is agreed between them in kindness. This is an admonition for him among you who believes in Allah and the Last Day. That is more virtuous for you, and cleaner. Allah knows: you know not.
Mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years; (that is) for those who wish to complete the suckling. The duty of feeding and clothing nursing mothers in a seemly manner is upon the father of the child. No one should be charged beyond his capacity. A mother should not be made to suffer because of her child, nor should he to whom the child is born (be made to suffer) because of his child. And on the (father's) heir is incumbent the like of that (which was incumbent on the father). If they desire to wean the child, by mutual consent and (after) consultation, it is no sin for them; and if you wish to give your children out to nurse, it is no sin for you, provided that you pay what is due from you in kindness. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is Seer of what you do.
Such of you as die and leave behind them wives, they (the wives) shall wait, keeping themselves apart, four months and ten days. And when they reach the term (prescribed for them) then there is no sin for you in aught that they may do with themselves in decency. Allah is well acquainted of what you do.
There is no sin for you in that which you proclaim or hide in your minds concerning your troth with women. Allah knows that you will remember them. But plight not your troth with women except by uttering a recognized form of words. And do not consummate the marriage until (the term) prescribe is run. Know that Allah knows what is in your minds, so beware of Him; and know that Allah is Forgiving, Clement.
It is no sin for you if you divorce women while yet you have not touched them, nor appointed unto them a portion. Provide for them, the rich according to his means and the straitened according to his means, a fair provision. (This is) a bounden duty for those who do good.
If you divorce them before you have touched them and you have appointed unto them a portion, then (pay the) half of that which you appointed, unless they (the women) agree to forgo it, or he agrees to forgo it in whose hand is the marriage tie. To forgo is nearer to piety. And forget not kindness among yourselves. Allah is Seer of what you do.
Be guardians of your prayers, and of the midmost prayer; and stand up with devotion to Allah.
And if you go in fear, then (pray) standing or on horseback. And when you are again in safety, remember Allah as He has taught you that which (heretofore) you knew not.
(In the case) those of you who are about to die and leave behind them wives, they should bequeath unto their wives a provision for the year without turning them out, but if they go out (of their own accord) there is no sin for you in that which they do of themselves within their rights. Allah is Mighty, Wise.
For divorced women a provision in kindness: a duty for those who ward off (evil).
Thus Allah expounds unto you His revelations so that you may understand.}} [Al-Qur'an: Al-Baqarah (2:228-242)].
Allah (s.w.t.) also said: {{O you who believe! If you wed believing women and divorce them before you have touched them, then there is no period that you should reckon. But content them and release them handsomely.}} [Al-Qur'an: Al-Ahzab (33:49)].
Al-Ila' (Abandonment for Swearing)
Before Islam, men used to swear not to touch their wives for unlimited periods of time. Although Islam discourages such behavior, it limits the period to a maximum of four months if it happens. If the husband did not resume relations with his wife during this period, she would be irrevocably divorced at the end of the four months, even if he did not intend to divorce her.
Allah (s.w.t.) said: {{Those who forswear their wives must wait four months; then, if they change their minds, lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. And if they decide upon divorce (let them remember that) Allah is Hearer, Knower.}} [Al-Qur'an: Al-Baqarah (2:226-227)].
Az-Zihar (Injurious Assimilation)
In pre-Islamic times, men had an expression that their wives are to them like the backs of their mothers. This statement means that their wives became prohibited to them if they said such statements. Islam prohibits this form of marriage dissolution, and introduced a penalty on men who make such statements. The wife is prohibited to her husband after he makes such a statement, and until he frees a slave, fasts the daytime of two consecutive lunar months if he does not find the wherewithal to free a slave, or feeds sixty needy people if he is unable to fast, in that order.
Allah (s.w.t.) said: {{Allah has heard the saying of her that disputes with you (Muhammad) concerning her husband, and complains unto Allah. And Allah hears your colloquy. Lo! Allah is hearer, Knower.
Such of you as put away your wives (by saying they are as their mothers) -- They are not their mothers, none are their mothers except those who gave them birth -- they indeed utter an ill word and a lie. And lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Those who put away their wives (by saying they are as their mothers) and afterward would go back on that which they have said, (the penalty) in that case (is) the freeing of a slave before they touch one another. Unto this you are exhorted; and Allah is informed of what you do.
And he who finds not (the wherewithal), let him fast for two consecutive months before they touch one another; and for him who is unable to do so (the penance is) the feeding of sixty needy ones. This, that you may put trust in Allah and His messenger. Such are the limits (imposed by Allah); and for disbelievers is a painful doom.}} [Al-Qur'an: Al-Mujadalah (58:1-4)].
Al-Khul` (Divestiture or Self-Redemption)
Al-Khul` is an irrevocable divorce initiated by the wife. The wife can return the marriage dowry and gifts in exchange for the divorce. The man may choose whether or not to take anything back from her.
This kind of divorce is usually sought when the woman is not satisfied with the marriage while the husband is fulfilling his duties toward her. The wife may also seek this divorce if she fears that she will not be able to observe the limits imposed by Allah (i.e. perform her duties). If the husband is not fulfilling his duties, she gets her divorce without giving anything back to him.
A man may not coerce his wife into doing this by treating her badly so that he can get the dowry and gifts from her. If a man does this kind of thing, the wife is granted divorce without having to pay anything back to him. After Al-Khul`, the man has no right to return his wife. However, he may remarry her with a new contract if she agrees.
The `Iddah of Al-Khul` is one menstruation period (or one month) to make sure that she is not pregnant.
Allah (s.w.t.) said: {{Divorce must be pronounced twice and then (a woman) must be retained in honor or released in kindness. And it is not lawful for you that you take from women aught of that which you have given them; except (in the case) when both fear that they may not be able to keep within the limits of Allah. And if you fear that they may not be able to keep the limits of Allah, in that case it is no sin for either of them if the woman ransoms herself. These are the limits of Allah. Transgress them not. For whoso transgresses Allah's limits, such are wrongdoers.}} [Al-Qur'an: Al-Baqarah (2:229)].
Al-Li`an (Double Testimony)
If a man accuses his wife of adultery without providing four good witnesses, and she denies it, he is whipped for slander unless he swears four times that he is telling the truth, and the fifth time that he invokes the curse of Allah on himself if he is lying. The wife can avert the punishment by swearing four times that he is a liar, and a fifth time she invokes the wrath of Allah upon herself if he is telling the truth. After this, the marriage is dissolved forever, and they can never marry each other again. It is recommended that a man divorce his wife rather than dissolving the marriage in this way.
Al-Li`an may also be sought by the husband if he denies that his wife is pregnant with his child, or if he testifies that she gave birth after less than six months, or over one year since his last intercourse with her.
Allah (s.w.t.) said: {{As for those who accuse their wives but have no witnesses except themselves; let the testimony of one of them be four testimonies (swearing) by Allah that he is of those who speak the truth. And yet a fifth invoking the curse of Allah on him if he is of those who lie. And it shall avert the punishment from her if she bear witness before Allah four times that he is of those who are liars. And a fifth (time) that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he is of those who speak the truth.}} [Al-Qur'an: An-Noor (24:6-9)].
Some of the scholars state that the husband should start the procedure, while others say that it does not matter who initiates it.
If the husband refuses to testify after the accusation, he is whipped eighty lashes for slander, according to Malik, Ahmad, and Ash-Shafi`i. Abu Hanifah said the man should not be punished for slander, but should be imprisoned until he agrees to testify or until he calls himself a liar. If he calls himself a liar, he will be whipped for slander.
According to Malik and Ash-Shafi`i, if the wife refuses to testify, she is punished for adultery. Abu Hanifah held that the woman should not be punished for adultery, but should be imprisoned until she agrees to testify or until she admits that she committed adultery. If she admits that she committed adultery, she will be punished for adultery.
Al-Faskh (Revocation)
The marriage contract may be revoked because of flaws in the contract itself, or because circumstances prevent its continuation.
For instance, the husband and wife may find out after the contract is agreed upon that they are prohibited to each other. For example, the husband and the wife may find out that they were breast-fed by the same mother.
If the husband or the wife commits apostasy (became non-Muslim after being Muslim), the marriage contract is instantly revoked.
If a non-Muslim husband embraces Islam while his wife remains an unbeliever, the marriage is revoked unless his wife is Christian or Jewish. If a non-Muslim wife embraces Islam while her husband remains non-Muslim, the marriage is revoked regardless of his religion.
If the father or the grandfather sign the marriage contract for their immature son or daughter, the son or the daughter have the right to revoke the marriage once he or she is mature.
Arabic Glossaries
This section gives the brief meanings of the Arabic words used in this document. Proper names such as the names of people and places are not listed here.
Adab: Etiquettes.
Al-: An Arabic definite article similar to `the' in English. The letter `l' in `Al-' is converted to the first letter of the word it precedes in pronunciation if that word starts with one of these Arabic letters: t, th, d, z, r, z, s, sh, s, dh, t, z, and n. Example: Az-Zawaj.
`Alaqat: Relationships.
`Aqd: Contract.
`Aqiqah: The slaughtered lamb(s) to celebrate the birth of a child.
Awqat: Times.
Azan: Call for the prayer.
Dafq: Ejaculation.
Dha`if (Hadith): Weak Hadith; not authentic.
Du`a': A prayer said to ask Allah for something.
Fardh: Mandatory; obligatory.
Faskh: Revocation; when the marriage contract is revoked because of flaws in the contract itself, or because circumstances prevent its continuation.
Fitrah: The Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophets that we are told to imitate. It also means the instincts that are born with us without the effect of our upbringing.
Ghayrah: The Arabic word Ghayrah is sometimes translated as jealousy or watchfulness, however, it does not mean that exactly. Jealousy in English implies fear of loss of affection, and has thus acquired a bad connotation in non-Muslim English speaking societies. Ghayrah in Arabic implies hating wrong, unlawful things to happen. This is why the same word can be used to express Allah's feelings, as well as Muslims' feelings toward prohibited things. Allah hates when people exceed the limits He made for them.
Hadith: Traditions of the Prophet (s.a.w) whether they are sayings, doings, or approvals.
Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca; one of the five pillars of Islam.
Halal: Lawful in the Islamic law.
Hanbali: One of the major four schools of law in Islam.
Hanafi: One of the major four schools of law in Islam.
Haram: Prohibited in the Islamic law.
Hishmah: Decency and modesty.
Hukm: Verdict or judgment in the Islamic law; whether something is mandatory, recommended, allowed, hated, or prohibited in Islam.
Huquq: Rights.
`Iddah: The period that the woman waits before she can get married after she gets divorced or widowed. The length of `Iddah is three menstruation periods, three months if the woman does not have a period, until the woman gives birth if she is pregnant, or four months and ten days if she is a widow, unless she is pregnant, in which case it will be until she gives birth. In the case of Al-Khul`, it is one menstruation period (or one month) to make sure that she is not pregnant. There is no `Iddah if the man marries a woman and then divorces her before having an intercourse with her.
Inzal: Ejaculation; ejection of semen.
Ila': Abandonment for swearing; when a man swears not to touch his wife for a period of time.
Ijab: Offer; when the woman's guardian tell the man that he is marrying her to him.
Ijhadh: Abortion.
Iqamah: A form of Azan called just before the prayer is performed.
Istitar: Privacy. keeping from others' observation.
I`tikaf: Retreat in the mosques for worshipping.
Janabah: The impure status of a person after intercourse (even if the genitals just touch each other without having an intercourse), or after the emission of semen, called Inzal or Dafq (ejaculation; ejection of semen), whether the person is awake or asleep. If this happens while the person is asleep, it is called (Ihtilam). This status of impurity can be rid of by taking a bath if water is available; otherwise, Tayammum will do it. The antonym of the word Janabah is Taharah (cleanness).
Jima`: Intercourse.
Junub: An adjective describing the person during the status of Janabah explained above. This status of impurity can be rid of by taking a bath if water is available; otherwise, Tayammum will do it. The antonym of the word Junub is Tahir (pure or clean).
Khitan: Circumcision.
Khitbah: Engagement.
Kitabiyyah: A woman who is Christian or Jewish by faith, and not by virtue of birth into a Christian or Jewish family. The man is called Kitabi.
Khul`: Divestiture or self-redemption; an irrevocable divorce initiated by the wife. The wife can return the marriage dowry and gifts in exchange for the divorce. The man may choose whether or not to take anything back from her. This kind of marriage dissolution is usually sought when the woman is not satisfied with the marriage while the husband is fulfilling his duties toward her. The wife may also seek this divorce if she fears that she will not be able to observe the limits imposed by Allah (i.e. perform her duties).
Li`an: Double testimony. When the husband accuses his wife of adultery without providing four good witnesses, and she denies it, he is whipped for slander unless he swears four times that he is telling the truth, and the fifth time that he invokes the curse of Allah on himself if he is lying. The wife can avert the punishment by swearing four times that he is a liar, and a fifth time she invokes the wrath of Allah upon herself if he is telling the truth. After this, the marriage is dissolved forever, and they can never marry each other again.
Mahram: A man that a woman can never marry, like a brother or a father. A brother-in-law is not considered a Mahram in Islam since he can marry her after the death or divorce of his wife (her sister). A man can also marry his sister-in-law after the death of his brother (her husband) or after they get divorced. If the man and the woman get divorced because one of them accused the other of adultery in the court without proving it (Li`an), the man is not a Mahram here, even though he can never marry her again.
Makruh: Hated in the Islamic law.
Maliki: One of the major four schools of law in Islam.
Mandub: Recommended in the Islamic law.
Mawali: This Arabic word has many meaning like supporters, freed slaves, the freers of the slaves, clients, patrons, and the name of the ones raised by others if their real fathers are unknown.
Mazhab: A school of law in Islam is called Mazhab such as Maliki.
Mubah: Allowed in the Islamic law.
Muharram: Prohibited in the Islamic law.
Muhsanah: A chaste and virtuous woman.
Muhsanat: Chaste and virtuous women.
Mushrik: Idolater; a man who associates others with Allah.
Mushrikah: Idolatress; a woman who associates others with Allah.
Mustawshimah: The woman who gets tattooed.
Mustawshirah: The woman who gets her teeth cut or shortened.
Mustawsilah: The woman who uses wigs and hairpieces.
Mutafallijah: The woman who widens the gaps between her teeth for the sake of beautification.
Mut`ah: Temporary marriage where the length of the marriage period is specified at the time of performing marriage. It is prohibited in Islam.
Mutanammisah: The woman who gets her eyebrows plucked.
Namisah: The woman who pulls or plucks the eyebrows to straighten them or to make them thinner.
Nifas: The childbed or confinement period after the childbirth. Its lasts until the blood stops or for forty days, whichever comes first.
Nikah: Marriage.
Nisa': Women.
Nufasa': The woman during the childbed or confinement period.
Nushuz: Desertion; when one deserts his/her spouse.
Qubul: Acceptance; when the man tells the woman's guardian that he accepted her as a wife.
Qur'an: The words of Allah revealed to Muhammad (s.a.w.) in verbatim and are kept in the holy book of Islam in the Arabic language.
Rak`ah: A full instruction in the prayer that includes bowing down and prostrating.
Sahih (Hadith): Authentic Hadith; an authentic traditions of the Prophet (s.a.w) whether it is a saying, a doing, or an approval.
Salah: Prayer; one of the five pillars of Islam.
Shafi`i: One of the major four schools of law in Islam.
Shaitan: Satan.
Shari`ah: Jurisprudence; Islamic law.
Shuhud: Witnesses.
Sunnah: Traditions of the Prophet (s.a.w.). It also means that something is recommended rather than being mandatory for Muslims.
Ta`addud Az-Zawjat: Polygyny; marrying more than one wife.
Tabanni: Adoption.
Tahir: Pure; clean; not junub.
Taharah: Purity; cleanness; antonym of Janabah.
Tahnik: Dental palate; to chew some dates or sweets and put them in the infant's mouth, and rub his/her mouth and palate with them to train him/her to eat.
Tanzim Al-Haml: Birth control.
Tayammum: Alternative for Wudhu' (ablution) when water is not available. It is done by rubbing one's palms on the ground, and then wiping the face, and then the hands to the elbows.
Tazayyon: Adornment and beautification.
Wajibat: Duties.
Wali Al-Amr: Male guardian.
Walimah: Wedding feast or food reception.
Washimah: A female tattooer.
Washirah: The woman who cuts or shortens the teeth.
Wasilah: The woman whose profession is making wigs and hairpieces
Wudhu': Ablution; It is done by washing some of the body parts to prepare oneself for the prayer and implies the intention to pray. It includes washing the hands to the wrists three times, rinsing out the mouth with water three times, cleansing the nostrils of the nose by sniffing water through them three times, washing the whole face three times with both hands, washing the arms up to the far elbows three times starting with the right arm, wiping the whole head with a wet hand once, wiping the inner sides of the ears with the forefingers and the outer sides with the thumbs, and washing the feet up to the ankles three times starting with the right foot. The obligatory steps are washing the face, washing the hands to the elbows, wiping the head, and washing the feet to the ankles. The rest of the steps are Sunnah. The above sequence should be followed in performing Wudhu'.
Zawaj: Marriage.
Zawj: Husband; could also mean husband or wife.
Zawjah: Wife.
Zihar: Injurious assimilation. In pre-Islamic times, men had an expression that their wives are to them like the backs of their mothers. This statement means that their wives became prohibited to them if they said such statements. Islam prohibits this form of marriage dissolution, and introduced a penalty on men who make such statements. The wife is prohibited to her husband after he makes such a statement, and until he frees a slave, fasts the daytime of two consecutive lunar months if he does not find the wherewithal to free a slave, or feeds sixty needy people if he is unable to fast, in that order.