How does divorce work in Islam?

It depends on who ends the marriage, but there are clear steps. A husband can pronounce talaq (divorce), ideally after attempts at reconciliation, and the wife then observes a waiting period (iddah). A wife can also seek a divorce through other routes. In the UK or US you also need a civil divorce to end the legal marriage.

Reconciliation comes first

Islam allows divorce but treats it as a last resort. When a couple fears a split, the Quran advises bringing in a fair person from each family to help them find peace (Quran 4:35). Counselling, time apart to cool down and honest talks are all encouraged before any decision.

How talaq works

When a husband pronounces talaq, the Quran asks him to be mindful of the waiting period (Quran 65:1). The Prophet ﷺ taught that a man should not divorce his wife while she is menstruating, but should wait until she is clean (Sahih al-Bukhari 5251). This gives time for the couple to think calmly.

ٱلطَّلَـٰقُ مَرَّتَانِ ۖ فَإِمْسَاكٌۢ بِمَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ تَسْرِيحٌۢ بِإِحْسَـٰنٍ "Divorce may be retracted twice, then the husband must retain [his wife] with honour or separate [from her] with grace." Quran 2:229

After the first or second talaq, the husband may take his wife back during the iddah, and the couple may also remarry after it ends with a new nikah. After a third talaq, the Quran says they cannot remarry unless she has married another man and that marriage has genuinely ended (Quran 2:230). Scholars differ on whether three pronouncements said at once count as one or three, which is why the matter should go to a qualified imam.

What each spouse is owed

Iddah: the woman waits before remarrying.
Her mahr and fair treatment: the husband can't take back what he gave her (Quran 2:229). He should not force her out of the home during the iddah (Quran 65:1).
Children: both parents stay responsible for their care.

For the waiting period in detail, see What is iddah and how long is the waiting period? For children, see Who gets custody of children in Islam?

If the wife wants a divorce

A wife is not stuck. She can ask her husband for a divorce, offering to return some of the mahr (khul'), or ask a qualified scholar or court to end the marriage if she is being harmed. See Can a Muslim woman ask for a divorce?

The role of a civil divorce

In the UK and the US, only a court can end the legal marriage. An Islamic divorce does not end it legally, and a civil divorce does not by itself guarantee an Islamic one. Most imams advise couples to complete both. Where a husband refuses to give a talaq, a sharia council or imam may help. See Is a civil divorce valid in Islam?

Key points

Divorce is lawful but should follow reconciliation attempts.
Talaq should be pronounced calmly, outside a period of menstruation, and is followed by an iddah.
After a third talaq, remarriage requires another genuine marriage first.
In the West you need both an Islamic and a civil divorce to end the marriage fully.

Tip: If you are considering divorce, speak to a trusted imam and, where children or money are involved, a solicitor or lawyer too. Get any Islamic and civil steps in writing so there is no confusion later.