Title:
Divine Origin of Divorce in Islam: A Theological and Moral Examination of Allah's Sanctioning of Marital Dissolution
Author:
Dr. Max Shimba, Servant of Jesus Christ, Supreme God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
USA Theological Institute, Orlando, Florida
Date of Original Post:
April 29, 2018
Abstract
This article explores the origins and implications of divorce (talāq) as presented in Islamic scripture and compares them to the biblical doctrine of the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage. While the Bible emphasizes the permanence of the marital bond, the Qur'an provides a structured procedure for initiating and finalizing divorce. This theological divergence raises fundamental questions regarding the nature of Allah in Islam. If Satan seeks to destroy families through separation and divorce, yet Allah explicitly legislates such acts in the Qur'an, then one must ask: What is the true nature and identity of Allah according to the moral framework of divine revelation? The paper evaluates this contrast and concludes with reflections on the biblical foundation of marital unity.
Introduction
The sanctity of marriage is foundational in Judeo-Christian theology. It is considered a divine institution, a covenant not only between two human beings but one joined and witnessed by God Himself. Conversely, Islamic theology, as expressed in the Qur’an and Hadith, accommodates and regulates the practice of divorce (talāq) as a permitted—even expected—reality of human life. This raises significant theological concerns, especially when compared with the biblical view that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). This article attempts to analyze the implications of this divergence and interrogate the moral and spiritual character of Allah as revealed in Islamic doctrine.
The Meaning and Legal Understanding of Divorce
Divorce, or talaka in Swahili (from the Arabic talāq), means to separate or to sever ties. In legal terms, particularly in many modern judicial systems, it refers to a court-issued decree that formally dissolves a marital union. In many African contexts, informal street-level pronouncements of divorce—whether verbal or written—are not recognized under national law. Judicial divorce ensures that the rights and responsibilities of both parties are clarified, especially concerning property, custody, and spousal support.
The Biblical View on Marriage and Divorce
God’s original intention for marriage is clear in Genesis 2:24, where it is written:
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Jesus reaffirms this divine standard in Matthew 19:3-6, stating:
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
According to 1 Corinthians 7:39, a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives, underscoring the covenantal and permanent nature of marriage.
Moreover, in Malachi 2:15–16, Scripture clearly affirms:
“For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce.”
Thus, from a biblical perspective, divorce is not merely discouraged—it is viewed as a violation of God's holy covenant, with severe spiritual and social consequences.
Satan's Role in Promoting Divorce According to Islamic Sources
According to various Islamic theological texts and Hadiths, Satan (Shayṭān) actively promotes discord in marriages. Sheikh Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr, in his work Asili ya Majini (The Nature of Jinn), writes on page 39:
“The greatest effort of Satan is to create separation between husband and wife. By doing so, he ensures that they begin to hate each other. Eventually, this leads to divorce. This breakup creates dysfunction in the family. When separation or divorce occurs, children are not raised adequately by one parent alone. They lack emotional stability, which makes it easier for Satan (the jinn) to enter into their hearts and minds. He will then lead them astray, causing them to become criminals in society.”
This Islamic view aligns with the biblical perspective that Satan is the destroyer of families (John 10:10), and divorce is one of his primary tools.
Allah as the Legislator of Divorce: A Quranic Overview
Despite acknowledging that Satan is behind the destruction of families, the Qur'an paradoxically attributes the legislation and regulation of divorce directly to Allah.
Surah Al-Ahzab (33:49):
“O you who believe! When you marry believing women, and then divorce them before you have touched them, there is no waiting period (iddah) for you to count concerning them. So provide for them and release them in a handsome manner.”
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:230):
“And if he divorces her [for the third time], then she is not lawful to him afterward until she marries another husband. If the latter divorces her, then there is no sin upon them to return to each other if they think they can keep within the limits of Allah.”
These verses reveal not only the permissibility but also the systematic structure of divorce under Islamic law. They suggest that Allah is not merely allowing divorce but actively organizing the manner in which it should occur.
Theological Implications: Who is Allah?
If Satan is said to delight in breaking apart marriages, and Allah provides detailed guidance on how to do so, then a moral contradiction arises. According to Islamic theology, Allah is the source of these divorce laws. Yet, the resulting harm—broken families, psychologically wounded children, and moral chaos—is consistent with what Satan desires.
This leads to a provocative theological question: If the fruits of divorce align with Satan’s goals, and Allah is the author of divorce laws, then can Allah be truly righteous and holy?
In Christian theology, a god who promotes actions with demonic outcomes cannot be the same as the holy and loving Creator described in the Bible. Jesus Christ said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). If Allah both permits what Satan promotes, and that permission brings forth evil, can he be the true God?
Conclusion: The True Character of God and the Sanctity of Marriage
This analysis reveals a stark contrast between the God of the Bible and the Allah of the Qur’an in matters of marriage and divorce. The God of the Bible desires lifelong covenant, unity, and love, and views divorce as a painful fracture of His intended design. Conversely, Allah not only permits but regulates and institutionalizes divorce, even when such practices are admitted to cause societal decay and family dysfunction.
Thus, from a biblical and theological standpoint, the character of Allah as described in Islamic doctrine aligns more closely with the destructive intentions of Satan than with the righteousness of the Holy God of Scripture.
Bibliography
-
Holy Bible, ESV, Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3-6; Malachi 2:16; 1 Corinthians 7:39
-
The Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab (33:49), Surah Al-Baqarah (2:230)
-
Sakr, Ahmad H., Asili ya Majini, Islamic Foundation, pg. 39
-
Shimba, Max. Personal Theological Blog Post, April 29, 2018
-
Titus 2:13 – “Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
No comments:
Post a Comment