Talaaq

What is the validity of rulings by Islamic Court of America

Q: I want to ask about the validity of rulings by Islamic Court of America (Walnut, California). An orphaned sister who was abused by her step mother was married to an abusive husband who could not hold a job. Therefore the sister became the primary bread winner for the family. The husband continued to be abusive and is said to have had illegitimate relationships with other women. The husband married the maid of another family and brought her home as his wife to live in the same modest accommodation. The sister (first wife) continued to be the bread winner for the now extended family, whilst the husband continued to be abusive now with both his wives. The sister (first wife) was very concerned about the safety of her son as the husband would severely beat the little child and as such the sister fearing her and her child's safety left the husband to go to US telling him that she could earn more money there. However, once she was in US with her son, she asked for a divorce. More than ten years have passed the husband denies giving khulla, whilst an American court has issued divorce and the Islamic Court of America (Walnut California) has issued Khulla declaration based on permission from the sister's father and uncle who were witnesses to the marriage, and the American court divorce. The husband refused to talk to the court or anyone else regarding the matter and clearly says that he will not give her khulla ever, no matter what, and he expects her to return to him and continue living together as they were before, whilst he is not capabale of affording to pay for most of the basic needs of the family. Two years later, the sister is now looking to remarry but some around her are raising questions on the validity of her Khulla. Can she marry again? Is this Khulla valid?

Does the following constitute talaaq?

Q: My wife habitually tells me you must be doing something wrong, when I follow instructions and they do not work.  Today I lost my temper and said to her as follows:

  1. Don't insult me ok
  2. You talk to me like I am thick
  3. It gets bloody annoying
  4. You do it all the time, talk to me like I am idiot
  5. I can read, I am not thick.  You talk to me like I am thick
  6. I know how to follow bloody instructions.
  7. I am fed up of you

The intention of divorce was in my mind at the time as I was so angry. Would this constitute divorce? At this moment in time, whilst typing this, I am still so angry that I am thinking I don't care if it constitutes divorce. I want it to constitute divorce. I may have made other statements alluding to divorce but can't recall what they are. They would have been similar to the aforementioned statements. Should I find out from my wife what I said?

Right of custody if the mother remarries

Q: Does a remarried divorcee have a right over her children from the previous marriage a lady got her marriage dissolved and her boys were left with her former husband (who is their father) and later she remarried. Now she wants her boys back, and says the shariah supports her on this – but the husbands claims that she waived her custodial rights by remarrying -- and that the boys will suffer under their step father.

A person suffering from bipolar disorder issuing three talaaqs

Q: I have a Brother-in law who is Bi-polar (Mental sickness), He had a re-lapse, whereby he became sick again about a week ago. He is married & has one child. However when he had the re-lapse he pronounced 3 talaaqs to his wife, thereafter he was hospitalised for a week & is now back at home. Is his pronunciation of the 3 talaaqs valid?

Khula

Q: My daughter  has been married  for 6 years and separated from her husband 10 months ago. She has been asking for talaq but her husband and his family have been playing delaying tactics. Finally they have agreed  to give her talaq and have asked her to do the following:

  1. Request talaaq by email message 
  2. Return the mehar given to her at the time of nikkah and return gold jewellery given to her at nikah. Will this be classed as khula talaq?

Will it be baain/ complete  talaq?  

She also has gold jewlery given to her by her grand parents at the time of nikah is she entitled to claim this?