MADINA: Six Saudi women working in the public relations and other departments at the Health Directorate in Riyadh have agreed to jointly file “Khula” cases against their husbands in the Shariah Court here Saturday. In Islam, Khula is the term used for a woman seeking a divorce from her husband. The women, only known by their initials, alleged that their husbands failed to provide them with moral, emotional and financial support. They claimed that they had left no stone unturned to try to save their marriages, but the continued “tyranny” of their husbands had left them no choice in the end. Commenting on the women's decision, the well-known Madina lawyer, Muhammad Al-Tayeb Al-Sharif, said: “In Islam marriage should be a source of bliss. If this does not exist, this is the situation where you should not and do not have to find yourself in.” He said the Islamic Shariah permits Khula in cases where the woman is abused by her husband, including being overly-strict and constantly rebuking her for the slightest mistake or shortcoming. Another valid reason for divorce is if she dislikes her husband's physical appearance, lack of religious commitment, and if he does not fulfill her conjugal rights. She would also have a basis for divorce if he fails to sustain and support his family morally and financially. Referring to the Prophet's Hadith, he said a woman came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, “O, Prophet (pbuh) I have nothing to complain about my husband's morals and religion but I hate blasphemy (Kufr) in Islam. Then he said, ‘Can you return him his garden, which means the dowry he paid? She said, ‘Yes'. Then he said to her husband, ‘Accept the garden and divorce her once'.” Al-Sharif advised them to file their cases individually and not collectively because they each have their own reasons for divorce. He also advised them to be patient.
