Divorce

Amongst many so called “Muslim” communities, if a woman is divorced, she is automatically stigmatized. She has to deal with being the topic of little old ladies who have nothing better to do but spread gossip and rumors while indulging on tea and biscuits (that they had their daughters in law make). She has to deal with the fact that a great majority of men won’t want to marry a divorce, because of her “past”. All of a sudden, due to the fact that two clearly incompatible people decided to part ways for a greater benefit, its a calamity.

Was divorce a tragedy to the sahabah? Sayyidina Rasulullah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) divorced Sayyida Hafsa (Radiallahu Anha), but that was revoked due to her fasting and worship. Sayyidina Abu Bakr (Radiallahu Anhu) divorced a wife of his. Sayyidina Umar (Radiallahu Anhu) divorced a wife of his. Other sahabah divorced their wives. Why did these sahabah divorce their wives? Some had to because their wives were Mushrik, and Allah commands against marrying the Mushrikoon. Others divorced when the commands were revealed limiting the amount of wives a man may have. Still, others divorced due to incompatibility! Was that a source of shame for them? No!

The Sahabah were a close knit society, who made sure that no woman eligible of marriage would remain single for long periods of time. They cared about their sisters, and it was not lip service. They laid down the foundation for the future generations on how a true society should work. They made it possible for us to know that there are real men who can practice the deen. So what is our excuse? When our brother and sister gets divorced, why do we focus on the part that has no concern to us? Don’t show pity to them, but treat them like they deserve to be treated: as regular humans! Life goes on! They deserve another chance to have another marriage, without being slandered because the first one didn’t work out.