Meaning & use
talaq
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountabletechnicallegalreligion
In Islamic law, a divorce started by a husband using a formal spoken or written statement.
Grammar: Uncountable: say 'pronounce talaq' or 'give talaq', not 'a talaq'.
Patterns
- pronounce talaq
- give talaq
- talaq divorce
Under traditional Islamic law, a husband can end the marriage by pronouncing talaq.
The court examined whether the talaq had been properly declared.
She sought legal advice after her husband threatened talaq.
nouncountabletechnicallegalreligion
A specific formula or pronouncement used to end a marriage in Islamic law.
Grammar: Countable: 'a talaq' refers to one such declaration.
Patterns
- a talaq
- the talaq
- three talaqs
He uttered a talaq in front of witnesses.
Some legal schools require three talaqs to finalize the divorce.
The validity of the talaq was disputed.
Common combinations
- pronounce talaq
- He pronounced talaq in accordance with his religious beliefs.
- give talaq
- In some countries, a husband can give talaq without going to court.
- talaq divorce
- The talaq divorce was recognized by the religious authorities.
- three talaqs
- Under some interpretations, three talaqs make the divorce irrevocable.
Synonyms and how they differ
- divorce
- The general English word for ending a marriage; talaq is specifically the Islamic law procedure.
Commonly confused: talaq or talaq?
talaq vs talaq
Sometimes confused with 'talak', a variant spelling; 'talaq' is the standard English form.
Practice
In Islamic law, a husband can end his marriage by pronouncing ______.
Choose one answer.
'Talaq' is the divorce declaration. 'Nikah' is the marriage contract, 'iddah' is the waiting period after divorce, and 'mahr' is the bridal gift.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “talaq”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.