What is talaq e biddat?

Asked by: Giovanni Nicolas  |  Last update: January 26, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (48 votes)

Talaq-e-Biddat, or triple talaq, is a controversial instant divorce practice in some Sunni Islamic traditions where a man divorces his wife by pronouncing "talaq" three times consecutively (verbally, in writing, or electronically) in a single sitting, making it immediately irrevocable and bypassing prescribed Islamic procedures. Many Islamic scholars consider it an "innovated" (biddat) and sinful departure from the traditional, gradual Talaq-ul-Sunnat method, which emphasizes reconciliation and adherence to proper waiting periods (Iddah). The practice has been declared unconstitutional and banned in India due to its arbitrary nature and violation of women's rights.

What is the meaning of Talaq-e-Biddat?

Instant Talaq or "Triple Talaq" or "Talaq-e-Biddat" is an Islamic practice that allows men to divorce their wives immediately by uttering the word "talaq" (divorce) three times. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, in its recent landmark judgment of Sayara bano Vs.

Is Talaq-e-biddat in the Quran?

Even though Talaq-e-Biddat finds no place in the Quran, it sure has found a permanent housing in the Indian Muslim society. According to Wikipedia, “Triple Talaq (Irrevocable divorce) is a form of divorce that is practiced by Muslims in India.” (Emphasis on 'in India'.)

What is the punishment for Talaq-e-biddat?

On 19 September 2018, the President passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Ordinance 2018, which made the practice of talaq-e-biddat a criminal act, punishable with up to three years imprisonment.

What is the meaning of Biddat in Islam?

Biddat means any innovation, and Muhammad (Prophet) spoke of biddat as follows: Muhammad (Prophet) says in this respect: "He who innovates something that is not in agreement with our matter (religion), will have it rejected." Even Allah says in the interpretation of the meaning of the Holy Quran that biddat in Islam is ...

Three divorces in one sitting is considered as only one valid divorce!

29 related questions found

What are the consequences of biddat?

Triple Talaq or Talaq-e-Biddat is a method of divorcing a woman in which a Muslim man can dismiss his wife. After the decree is issued the marriage is dissolved and cannot be reversed, therefore the woman has no one to support her.

What are the 5 types of Bidah?

Others (Al-`Izz ibn `Abdus-Salam) have divided Bid'ah into the five "decisions" of fiqh (al-aḥkām al-khamsa) of obligatory, recommended, allowed, condemned, forbidden.

Can you remarry after 3 talaq?

However, when the husband repudiates the wife for the third time, the divorce becomes “absolute.” In this case, not only is the divorce irrevocable, but the spouses cannot remarry until the wife has married another man, and that marriage has been consummated, then ended through death or divorce.

Is talaq e Biddat unconstitutional?

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, by a 3:2 majority, declared talaq-e-biddat unconstitutional and prohibited Muslim husbands from using it to dissolve a marriage. The majority held that the practice is unconstitutional because it is manifestly arbitrary.

How does money work in a divorce?

How a court orders distribution of assets varies from one state to the next. The majority of states fall under the category of equitable distribution states, where assets are divided between both spouses in a fair manner, according to LegalZoom®. Note that fair does not always mean a clean 50-50 split.

How long does 1 talaq last?

As soon as the talaaq is pronounced, the wife will enter a period of iddat, also referred to as a waiting period. The iddat or waiting period consists of a three month menstrual cycle. After the iddat period the divorce will become final.

Who loses most in a divorce?

In divorce, women often suffer more significant financial hardship and loss of living standards, while men are more prone to severe emotional distress, depression, and health issues like substance abuse, though both genders face substantial challenges, and children's lives are deeply disrupted by family changes. The most vulnerable in any divorce are often the children, whose routines, finances, and emotional stability are all profoundly affected by their parents' separation, regardless of who files for divorce. 

What is the most approved form of divorce in Islam?

Divorce is of three kinds: the Ahsan, or most laudable, the Hasan, or laudable, and the Bid'a or irregular. Talaq Ahsan or the most laudable divorce is where the husband repudiates his wife by making one pronouncement within the term of Tahr (purity.

Is 3 talaq in one sitting valid?

Yes, a husband can say "talaq" three times at once, but there's significant scholarly debate on whether it counts as one irrevocable divorce (favoring Ibn Taymiyyah's view, adopted by many modern states) or three (the majority traditional view, though considered sinful innovation, Talaq Bid'ah), with some scholars saying it counts as only one divorce allowing reconciliation, while others maintain it's an immediate final divorce. The Quran and Prophet's practice emphasize separate pronouncements with waiting periods for potential reconciliation, making triple talaq in one sitting a disapproved, irregular action. 

What are the different types of Talaq ul Biddat?

It explains that there are two forms of talaq: Talaq-ul-Sunna, which allows reconsideration, and Talaq-ul-Biddat, which makes divorce immediate and irrevocable. Talaq-ul-Biddat can be pronounced in one sitting by saying "I divorce you" three times or through a single written irrevocable declaration.

Is there a waiting period after Talaq?

The waiting period for a menstruating woman is, three monthly periods. The waiting period for a pre-menstrual girl is, three lunar months. The waiting period of a woman who has no monthly courses is three months. The husband is more entitled to take her back during this period provided that he wants reconciliation.

Which form of talaq is most disapproved?

Talaq-e-Biddat (Instant Triple Talaq) – It is the most disapproved form of divorce, and before the pronouncement of judgment in Triple Talaq Case it is was considered Bad in theology, but good in law.

Is talaq valid when angry?

Many jurists have concluded that when a man is in a fit of rage and divorces his wife then the divorce is invalid. There are pieces of evidence from the Quran, the Sunnah, and the Qiyas which support this view.

What is the triple talaq rule?

Talaq-e-Biddat or Triple Talaq is a form of divorce that was practiced in Islam, whereby a Muslim man could divorce his wife by pronouncing talaq three times. The man need not cite any reason for the divorce and the wife need not be present at the time of pronouncement of talaq.

What happens if husband says talaq once?

4.1 If your husband had only issued you one ṭalāq and has not made raj'ah in the manner illustrated in point 3.1, and the waiting period has elapsed, then the marriage is completely dissolved. 4.2 The only form of reconciliation now would be through a new nikāh if he proposes and the wife accepts his proposal.

Why do men remarry quickly after divorce?

Men are typically much more enthusiastic about repartnering precisely because they are motivated to find a wife who will care for them (McWilliams and Barrett 2014). Older men tend to repartner quickly following dissolution to reestablish the social and emotional support that their wives provided.

What is halal after talaq?

Conditions for Remarriage After Third Talaq (Halala) The woman must complete her Iddah from the first husband. She must freely and genuinely marry a second, unrelated man in a valid Nikah. The intermediate marriage must be consummated.

What does ☝ mean in Islam?

In Islam, the raised index finger (☝️) symbolizes Tawhid, the indivisible oneness of God (Allah), affirming there is no deity but Him, often used when reciting the Shahada ("There is no god but Allah") during prayer (Salah) or to glorify God, as the finger is called musabbiḥa (glorifier) in Arabic. It signifies monotheism, faith, praise, and acknowledging Allah's uniqueness, though some interpretations view its specific use during the Shahada as an innovation, preferring it only during certain prayer moments.
 

What is the punishment for Bidah?

Allah won't punish these people for doing this, but rather Allah will indeed punish such people for going against the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

Who is better, Shia or Sunni?

The main responsibility of Sunni Caliphs was to maintain law and order in the Muslim realm as well as providing political and religious guidance. On the other hand, the Shia Imams, descendants of the Prophet, also held a God-given spiritual authority and were considered infallible.