Title: Reasons for Divorce Question: I am searching for advice to give my sister. She was married to our cousin, initially against her will. Although she was never physically attracted to him and never will be, she took a lot of comfort in religion and as the husband was very caring she was a very good wife to him. She became very content day by day as she learnt more about Islam and became a good and dependable Muslim. However they both decided that while he was studying further and as they had a small boy, she should move in with her uncle and aunt as they could not afford to live together. This is now their third year apart, although they see each other 3 times a year because of the distance. My sister has now decided she no longer wants to continue the marriage. A male friend of hers has since told her that he is in love with her and wants to marry her. She is torn between her religious convictions and place in society as she says she wants to please Allah but she cannot fulfill her duties as a wife to her husband any longer. Is there any religious advice I can offer her, as I can see no reason for her to divorce him? Can she take an Istikhara for this? Sara Syed Luxembourg Answer: I don't find a solid and sufficient reason for divorce in this particular case especially when her husband is caring and realizes his responsibilities very well. However, physical non-attraction can be a cause of divorce if she finds no other way to escape the situation or if she realizes that by maintaining the status quo she can be a victim of sin. A precedent of such case is also present in the period of Holy Prophet when a female companion Bareerah asked for divorce merely for physical non-attraction and the Holy Prophet acceded to her request. However I would like to draw her attention to the following verse of the Holy Qur'an ( Al Nisa 4: 190): عسي أن تكرهوا شيأو يجعل الله فيه خيرا كثيرا It is quite possible that you dislike something but there is some hidden benefit for you I think the matter should be reviewed in the light of facts and not mere for physical attraction, which is prone to wither very soon, moreover, the well being of the son also requires a lot of consideration. Regards, Siddiq Bukhary April 15, 2003