Reasons for divorce

• Separation for not paying dowry: this can be issued if the wife has not yet been in sexual contact with her husband and (1) if the husband did not have visible money that the dowry could be taken from or (2) if the husband was visibly financially incapable – according to Article 116.

• Separation due to damages and harm: issued in the event of physical or mental harm caused to one party by the other. Can only be filed after a penal court ruling has been issued through the criminal or misdemeanour courts.

• Separation due to the husband not supporting his wife financially: if a husband clearly cannot sponsor his wife and she asks for separation the court would issue her a divorce. Alternatively if he claimed to be incapable but could not prove it, the judge issues a divorce immediately. The judge can give the man a period of no longer than one month to fix his situation.

• Ilaa and Thihar: Ilaa is when a wife can file for divorce if her husband took an oath that he would not have intercourse with her for four months or more and did not withdraw it before the four months are over. Thihar is when the man tells his wife that she is the same as his mother to him, or any woman who is forbidden for him to marry, such as his sister or aunt.

* Haneen Dajani