السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ

Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.

DIVORCE

وَإِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَبَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ سَرِّحُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ ۚ وَلَا تُمْسِكُوهُنَّ ضِرَارًا لِّتَعْتَدُوا ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَقَدْ ظَلَمَ نَفْسَهُ ۚ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا آيَاتِ اللَّهِ هُزُوًا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَا أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ يَعِظُكُم بِهِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

When you divorce women and they have reached their set time, then either keep or release them in a fair manner. Do not hold on to them with intent to harm them and commit aggression: anyone who does this wrongs himself. Do not make a mockery of God’s revelations; remember the favor He blessed you with, and the Scripture and wisdom He sent to teach you. Be mindful of God and know that He has full knowledge of everything. (Qur'an 2:231)

Marriage is a sacred commitment in Islam, and divorce is to be approached with seriousness, fairness, and respect for the rights and dignity of both parties.

At IMAN, an Islamic Talaq is performed only after the couple has obtained a legal divorce under the laws applicable to them. Before issuing an Islamic divorce certificate, IMAN requires appropriate documentation confirming that the civil marriage has been legally dissolved.

Steps to Obtain an Islamic Divorce

To dissolve a marriage under both local law and Islamic law:

1. Complete the civil divorce process.

Consult a qualified attorney and/or review the General Information and Instructions about Ending Your Marriage provided by Washington LawHelp.

2. Obtain an Islamic Talaq.

Once the civil divorce has been completed, IMAN can assist with the Islamic Talaq process, subject to the applicable Islamic requirements.

Islamic Talaq Procedure

1. Initial Meeting

The first step is a meeting to review the circumstances, determine whether the requirements for Talaq are satisfied, and establish the next steps.

Meetings may be scheduled with IMAN personnel:

  • Thursday evenings: 8:30–9:30 PM
  • Sundays: 2:00 PM–3:30 PM

To schedule an appointment, please email matrimonial@iman-wa.org.

2. Preparation for Talaq

If the marriage is not reconcilable, and the civil divorce has been completed, a second meeting will be scheduled for the Islamic Talaq.

Before this meeting, the parties seeking an Islamic Talaq must:

  • Familiarize themselves with the Islamic laws applicable to their circumstances, including Islamic Laws: Divorce by Sayyid Ali al-Sistani.
  • Fulfill, or reach an agreement to fulfill before the Talaq proceeding, all obligations arising from their Islamic marriage contract.

3. Talaq Proceeding

At the Islamic Talaq proceeding:

  • The couple must present two valid government-issued photo IDs, such as a driver's license or passport.
  • The couple must present a copy of the final divorce decree issued by the appropriate civil authority, documenting the legal dissolution of the marriage.
  • Two qualified witnesses to the Talaq must be present and must each present a valid government-issued photo ID.
  • The couple must confirm, in the presence of the witnesses, that the obligations arising from their Islamic marriage contract have been fulfilled or otherwise appropriately addressed.
  • The husband, or his authorized representative, pronounces the prescribed Arabic Talaq formula in accordance with Islamic law.
  • The Islamic Talaq certificate is signed by the parties, the witnesses, and the person officiating the Talaq.
  • Each formerly married party is provided with a copy of the Islamic Talaq certificate.

Fee

$250 payable to IMAN

This fee helps cover the administrative and operational expenses associated with the Talaq process. IMAN is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization.