The Practice of Khul in Germany: Pragmatism versus Conservativism

Jaraba M (2019)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Book Volume: 26

Journal Issue: 1-2

DOI: 10.1163/15685195-02612A01

Abstract

In this article, I examine how Muslim women who ae religiously-married in Germany might initiate no-fault divorce in the absence of a German registered civil marriage. Because there is no Muslim state authority to consult, local imams and Islamic leaders can resort to a community-led practice known as khul (divorce initiated by the woman) to dissolve an Islamic marriage (nikah) that is not recognized by civil authorities. In this article, which is the culmination of three years of fieldwork in Germany, I analyze and interpret the views and practices of two groups of religious actors - conservatives and pragmatists - towards khul in cases of nikah. I find that conservatives only permit a woman to divorce through khul. with her husband's consent, whereas pragmatists use Muslim minority jurisprudence (fiqh al-aqalliyyat al-Muslima) to argue that the husband's consent is not essential to legitimize a khul pronouncement.

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How to cite

APA:

Jaraba, M. (2019). The Practice of Khul in Germany: Pragmatism versus Conservativism. Islamic Law and Society, 26(1-2). https://doi.org/10.1163/15685195-02612A01

MLA:

Jaraba, Mahmoud. "The Practice of Khul in Germany: Pragmatism versus Conservativism." Islamic Law and Society 26.1-2 (2019).

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