Question:
What do Quran and Hadith say about a woman who is forced to live in a marriage she wants to break? Whether she is emotionally blackmailed by her family or her husband. If she is not happy and has made it clear to them all, still if she is forced to live in such an unhappy marriage, would she be answerable to ALLAH in case she goes on the wrong path out of depression or helplessness.
Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh
Thank you for your question.
May Allah bless all families with goodness and mercy.
You have addressed two matters.
• Being forced to stay in a unsuccessful marriage
• Treading the wrong path.
As for the first matter, if the wife has exhausted all efforts to address issues affecting the marriage through family elders, counselling, mediation and professional help then she will not be sinful if she seeks to end the marriage relationship where there are irreconcilable differences.
As for the second matter, one is responsible to make every effort to remain on the path of goodness. There is no excuse to engage in sin and transgression. If one has depression and stress, they should immediately seek help through medical doctors and therapy. It is also important to be surrounded by righteous people.
Obeying Allah and following the path of goodness will certainly bring the mercy of Allah.
And Allah knows best.
Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat
Hadith of the Day Imam
Imam of the Islamic Foundation of Toronto and Director of Mathabah Institute
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