A divorce deed to frighten the father-in-law, meaning thereby another daughter of his

Question

Karam ‘Ali loves his wife intensely, and his wife too loves her husband. For a long time the two have spent their days thus in harmony and love; there has never been any disagreement or quarrel between them, and Karam ‘Ali never intended to give her talaq or to separate. But it was always painful for Karam ‘Ali that, whenever his wife goes to her parents’ home, her family always procrastinate in sending her back.

Answer

Talaq is given to one’s own wife, not to someone else. Since the aim here is to distress his in-laws, their distress can arise only if their daughter is divorced; it will cause them no distress if their daughter is not divorced. Therefore, in the case asked about, the ruling of a major (mughallaza) divorce will be given.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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