Khula
خلع
Pronunciation: KHOO-lah
Wife-initiated divorce in Islamic law, typically involving the return of mahr.
Definition
Wife-initiated divorce in Islamic law. The wife requests dissolution of the marriage and typically returns the mahr (or a portion of it) to the husband as compensation.
Khula is grounded in Quran 2:229 and the precedent of Habiba bint Sahl. In secular jurisdictions, khula procedures can be codified inside an Islamic prenup so a civil court can enforce them as ordinary contract terms - for example, by setting out dispute resolution by Islamic arbitration with a binding award the civil court will adopt.
Related Terms
Talaqطلاق
Husband-initiated divorce in Islamic law.
Nikahنكاح
The Islamic marriage contract - verbal or written, requiring offer, acceptance, and witnesses.
Mahrمهر
The obligatory bridal gift in Islamic marriage - a financial right of the wife, due from the husband.
Iddahعدة
The post-divorce (or post-widowhood) waiting period during which the wife is entitled to maintenance.
Further Reading
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Khula (خلع) - Wife-initiated divorce in Islamic law, typically involving the return of mahr. Wife-initiated divorce in Islamic law. The wife requests dissolution of the marriage and typically returns the mahr (or a portion of it) to the husband as compensation.
- Wife-initiated divorce in Islamic law, typically involving the return of mahr.
- Category: Contracts
- Related: Talaq, Nikah, Mahr, Iddah
Source: HalalWallet (halalwallet.ca)
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Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-09-01
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