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as well as to protect the woman's rights. Once divorce is undertaken<br />

there follows an interim period (idda) <strong>of</strong> three months for, the wife<br />

or if pregnant, until the childbirth. And, it is better for the wife<br />

to spend that. period in her husband's house as the Qurlan says:<br />

"Prophet, when ye do divorce women, divorce them at<br />

their prescribed periods, and count (accurately)<br />

their prescribed periods : and fear God your Lord<br />

and turn them not out <strong>of</strong> their houses. nor shall<br />

they (themselves) leave, except in case they are<br />

guilty <strong>of</strong> some open lewdness" 2<br />

The idea behind the wife staying in the husband's house during the<br />

interim period is to give both husband and wife an opportunity to think<br />

it over again. Such thinking may make them change their mind and<br />

regret what has happened and this may result in returning love and<br />

calm to the family, In Islam. a husband may return to his wife<br />

during the period. if he so likes, without a dowry, marriage contract,<br />

or witiaesses. He may resume his full marital status by simply<br />

revoking his previous pronouncement in words or in deeds, for example<br />

if the husband has sexual intercourse with his wife. the divorce lapses<br />

automatically even without making any declaration. However. if the interim<br />

period expires without his returning to his wife, the divorce<br />

becomes final. in other words, the wife becomes free, either to marry<br />

another man or if the former husband wishes to revoke the divorce, she<br />

may return to him, but by a new marriage contract with all the legal<br />

requirements (new dowry and contract). If the couple resume their<br />

marital life, whether during the interim period or later on, and<br />

disagreement happens again. then they go through the same procedure<br />

as before and if reconciliation is not possible, then the husband may<br />

divorce his wife again. And, the wife must go through the interim<br />

9 Iddattiala technical term in divorce* It's general meaning is the<br />

prescribed period. It is in the interest <strong>of</strong> both the wife and<br />

the husband to prove if there is an unborn child. See Lane.<br />

Edward, Arabic English Lexicon, Vol. 5p P. 1969<br />

Q. 65,1<br />

ill

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