Saudi cleric warns men of abusing right of divorce

RIYADH: The imam of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah warned men against blackmailing their wives and of abusing their right to divorce, according to the Alriyadh daily newspaper.
Speaking at his Friday sermon, imam Saleh Al-Bedeir criticized overusing the threat of divorce and deemed such behavior impermissible in Islam. He labeled it a bad habit that Muslims should avoid.
The marriage contract obliges couples to treat each other decently; “women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable,” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:228) the imam cited in the sermon.
He said Muslims must be patient, as few find a flawless spouse. The trick is in overlooking the bad traits in each other in order for life to go on.
He advised husbands not to divorce their wives over small issues, and not to let their anger get the best of them and regret it later.
He also advised wives to control their behavior, obey their husbands, and avoid constant debates.