Khula in Pakistan: A Legal Examination of Women’s Right to Marital Dissolution and the Husband’s Discretion
Keywords:
Khula, Divorce, Islamic Law, Husband’s consent, Judicial Khula, Wife Inalienable Right, Pakistan Legal SystemAbstract
This research paper examines the concept of khula in Islamic law with particular emphasis on the wife’s inalienable right to seek dissolution of marriage. Islam considers marriage a relationship based on love, mercy, and mutual respect; however, when the marital relationship becomes unbearable and the spouses are unable to maintain the limits prescribed by Allah, Islamic law provides mechanisms for separation. Khula serves as a means through which a wife may seek release from the marital bond. The study explores the Qur’anic and Prophetic foundations of khula and analyzes the interpretations of the major Sunni schools of jurisprudence regarding its nature and conditions. Special attention is given to the debate concerning the requirement of the husband’s consent and the role of judicial authority in granting khula. The paper argues that Islamic legal principles support the recognition of khula as an inherent and independent right of the wife, ensuring justice, dignity, and fairness within the framework of Islamic family law.
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