Fatwa ID: 02844 

Answered by: Aalimah Sabrina Saidova

Question

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

If the word "animal" is uttered with no words uttered before or after it, with or without the intention of divorce, will it be a kinaya word?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

The rukn (main integral) of divorce is that a specific term is used, whether the term is ṣarīh (explicit) or kināyah (allusive). [1] The word ‘animal’ cannot be classified as an explicit word since it contains neither the word talāq, nor a derivative of it. Similarly, it cannot be classified as an allusive word since it does not allude to divorce. There is no connection between divorce and this word, nor is it an allusive command towards the wife on the husband’s behalf. It simply can be classified as an insult.

[1] Raddul Muhtār 3/230, Dārul Fikr Beirūt

Only Allah knows best

Written by Aalimah Sabrina Saidova

Checked and approved Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham