The Basic Concept:
In Islamic law:
* A husband is allowed two chances to divorce and reconcile with his wife.
* If he divorces her a third time, the divorce becomes final and irrevocable (*talaq al-mughallazah*).
* After that, the same couple cannot remarry unless:
1. The woman marries another man,
2. That marriage is genuine and consummated,
3. The second husband voluntarily divorces her or dies,
4. The woman completes her waiting period (iddah),
5. Only then can she remarry her former husband.
This entire process is referred to as halala. Any any sensible man or woman would never want to share herself with another man. Thus they try to avoid halala and not divorce the woman.
Why Does Halala Exist?
Halala is based on Islamic teachings to:
* Discourage impulsive divorces.
* Prevent husbands from misusing the right of divorce by threatening their wives repeatedly.
* Encourage both parties to take marriage seriously and consider divorce only as a last resort.
It is mentioned in the Qur'an:
Abuse and Misuse of Halala“And if he divorces her (for the third time), then she is not lawful to him afterward until she marries a husband other than him...”
– Surah Al-Baqarah (2:230)
While halala has a basis in Islamic law, misusing it is strictly prohibited. Some people have misunderstood or abused the concept by arranging temporary marriages solely for the sake of making a woman halal (permissible) again for her previous husband. This is considered a grave sin and deception in Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
This means arranged or contractual halala marriages—done with the prior intention of divorce—are invalid and sinful.“May Allah curse the one who does halala and the one for whom halala is done.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah)
The Correct Understanding* Halala is not a loophole to undo divorce.
* It is a consequence of misusing divorce rights, not a strategy for reunion.
* If a second marriage happens naturally, and ends for valid reasons, only then can the original couple remarry.