Question:

The questioner says: He married a girl believing that she possessed good character and religious commitment, but the opposite became clear to him. It also became clear to him that her family matches the worst description that could possibly be mentioned. He mentions various other things, the omission of which is perhaps preferable. I request His Eminence, the Shaykh, to kindly offer guidance to our brother, especially since he is consulting you regarding the matter of divorcing her, and she has already given birth to a child with him.

Answer:

What we advise in this situation is counseling and guidance. He should advise her, strive hard in doing so, direct her toward goodness, teach her what she is ignorant of, and recommend to her what benefits her.

He should also request her guardians—if there is anyone righteous among them—to advise her as well, or seek help from his mother, her mother, his sister, her sister, or some of his other relatives or hers, so that she may abandon what displeases him and the behavior he finds objectionable. He should strive in this matter and not rush into divorce. We advise you, my brother, not to rush into divorce, to exert every effort in counseling her, and to do what you can to guide her toward goodness, or to seek the assistance of some of her relatives or yours to guide her toward what is right. Even if her family is in the worst possible condition, Allah may guide her, and she may differ from her family.

​Therefore, you must advise her, do so frequently, and not rush—especially since she has borne you children. You should not rush into this as long as it is possible to avoid it. In any case, everything has a remedy. He should protect his wealth from her, giving her only what meets her needs. Furthermore, he should pray for her in her absence (sincerely from the heart) for success and guidance, both during his prayers and at other times. Indeed, the supplication of a Muslim for their brother or sister in their absence is answered. He should pray for her, strive hard, and supplicate for her righteousness, success, and guidance, and that Allah may protect him from the evil of the character traits he found objectionable in her.