Implementation of Marriage Dissolution by Li‘an (Invoking Mutual Curses) in Islam.

Abstract

Li'an as a mode of divorce is seldom used among the Muslim society. It involves taking an oath to avoid hudud punishment for the charge of adultery (zina).This research begins from a study by Abdul Rahim Abdullah which interpreted the term li'an as taking a religious oath due to a husband"s accusation against his spouse, deemed as slander (qazaf) in the absence of four witnesses, whether to accuse her of adultery or to deny paternity of a child conceived by her. Thus, the purpose of this research is to explain in detail the concept and meaning of li'an in Islam. This research examines the law on li'an and its implementation according to Islam. In addition, this research also studies li'an as a mode of marriage dissolution according to al-Qur"an and al-Hadith. It also uncovers reasons for the occurence of li'an and its implementation based on al-Qur"an and al-Hadith as well as the effect of legal implications on couples who go through it. The research methodology employed is literature review in order to obtain adequate related information on li'an.