Fasakh in a Muslim Divorce in Singapore: Grounds & Process

Last updated on April 7, 2021

muslim couple upset

What is Fasakh?

Fasakh is defined as the dissolution of a Muslim marriage contract by judicial decree. In a nutshell, the court grants a divorce as it is satisfied, based on the evidence available, that there are grounds for the couple to be divorced.

Divorce by fasakh does not require the husband to pronounce talak, or a reliance on a taklik, or payment of compensation by the wife to the husband under khuluk.

There are several grounds to obtaining a divorce under fasakh. One example is obtaining a fasakh when in a polygamous marriage because the husband had spent all his time and money on his other wife, and failed to maintain the other wife who is seeking the divorce, as well as the children, fairly and equally.

This article will explain:

Who Can Initiate Divorce by Fasakh?

The Administration of Muslim Law Act provides that either spouse can rely on fasakh in an application for a divorce.

Other grounds for divorce

Apart from fasakh, other grounds for a Muslim wife to divorce her husband in Singapore are:

  • Khuluk (divorce by paying compensation/redemption from the wife to the husband)
  • Divorce by cerai taklik (divorce by breach of marriage condition)

If it is the husband who wants the divorce, he can initiate the divorce by simply pronouncing talak on the wife. For more information, please refer to our article on talak in a Muslim divorce.

How to Initiate Divorce by Fasakh

Either spouse can initiate a divorce by fasakh by applying to the court for a decree of fasakh.

The grounds that the wife can use to obtain a divorce by fasakh

For the wife to file for divorce under fasakh, she will need to prove at least one of these grounds:

  • Her husband has neglected or failed to provide for her maintenance for a period of 3 months;
  • Her husband had been sentenced to prison for a period of 3 years or more and the sentence became final;
  • Her husband failed to perform his marital obligations for a period of 1 year without a reasonable justification;
  • Her husband had been impotent at the time of the marriage and still is;
  • Her husband is insane or is suffering from some chronic disease either for which there is no cure, or which is such that he would take a long time to be cured, and this is such that the continuance of the marriage relationship is harmful to the wife;
  • That her husband treated had her with cruelty by doing any of the following:
    • Habitually assaulting her or treating her cruelly so as to make her life miserable, even if his conduct does not amount to physical ill-treatment;
    • Associating himself with women of ill repute, or leading an infamous life;
    • Attempting to force her to lead an immoral life;
    • Obstructing her in the observance of your religious profession or practice;
    • Living and cohabiting with another woman who is not his wife; or
    • (If he has more than one wife) Not treating the wife who is seeking a divorce equitably in accordance with the requirements of the Muslim law;
  • On any other ground that is recognised as valid for the dissolution of marriage by fasakh under the Muslim law.

The grounds that the husband can use to obtain a divorce by fasakh

For the husband to obtain a divorce by way of fasakh, he needs to prove any ground(s) that is/are recognised as valid for the dissolution of marriage by fasakh under the Muslim law. These grounds may be similar to those available to the wife.

An example of a ground of divorce that the husband can rely on involves the wife having a defect. This defect could be where the wife is found to be insane or suffering from a chronic disease for which there is no cure, or which is such that she would take a long time to be cured, and this is such that the continuance of the marriage relationship is harmful to the husband.

How to prove grounds of divorce by fasakh

Proving any of the grounds for a divorce by way of fasakh involves the Syariah Court recording the sworn statements.

The Syariah Court may then make a decree of fasakh if it is satisfied that you are entitled to one.

Procedure for obtaining divorce by fasakh

An application has to be made to the Syariah Court for a decree of fasakh.

Once the Syariah Court has received your application, it will have a summons served on your spouse.

During the court proceedings, the Syariah Court will record the sworn statements of the applicant, which is yourself, and of at least 2 other witnesses. The Syariah Court may then make a decree of fasakh if it is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to a decree of fasakh.

However, an application for a decree of fasakh can be delayed or dismissed depending on the circumstances or grounds of the divorce.

For example, if the wife’s ground of divorce under fasakh is that the husband had been impotent at the time of the marriage and remains so, the husband can make an application to the Syariah Court before a decree of fasakh is passed to delay the application for the decree of fasakh.

The court will then make an order requiring the husband to satisfy the court within a period of 1 year that he is no longer impotent. This means that the decree of fasakh would be delayed by 1 year pending the outcome of the husband’s application.

If the husband is able to satisfy the Syariah Court that within the 1 year period that he is no longer impotent, then the court will not pass a decree on that ground. However, this does not prevent the wife from obtaining a decree of fasakh on other grounds if there is more than one ground in the application for divorce by fasakh.

What Happens Upon Successful Divorce by fasakh?

Registration of divorce

When the Syariah Court is satisfied that you are entitled to a decree of fasakh, the Syariah Court will make this decree and have it immediately registered.

The Register of Divorces will then be signed by the Registrar of the Syariah Court, you, and the witnesses whose evidence had been taken by the Syariah Court.

Ancillary matters

Upon the divorce by way of fasakh, the Syariah Court will also deal with the following where applicable:

  • Custody of children
  • Division of matrimonial property
  • Payment of nafkah iddah and mutaah from the husband to the wife

The wife can obtain nafkah iddah from her husband in a fasakh divorce unless she is found to have been nusyuz. “Nusyuz” means a wife who does not obey her husband.

In a divorce by fasakh, the wife is entitled to mutaah even if she is found to be nusyuz. The mutaah granted where she is nusyuz on the ground of ihsan (compassion).

Read our article on Muslim divorce in Singapore for more information on these ancillary matters.

Can Couples Remarry After Divorcing by Fasakh?

Fasakh is an irrevocable divorce.

An irrevocable divorce means that the marriage is ended without the possibility of the same couple remarrying. This is unless the wife had been lawfully remarried to another man after the divorce, and then divorced from that man after consummation of that marriage to him.

Divorce has major consequences and readers should think carefully before going ahead with one. Avoid being impulsive about it.

We recommend that you consult a Muslim divorce lawyer if you are considering a divorce through fasakh. The lawyer will be able to help you understand if your evidence supports an application for divorce under fasakh, and also assist you in your application.

You may get in touch with experienced Muslim divorce lawyers here.

Before getting a divorce
  1. Drafting a Deed of Separation in Singapore (Instead of Divorcing)
  2. Alternatives to Divorce in Singapore: A Practical Guide
  3. Process for Getting Divorced in Singapore (With Diagram)
  4. What are the Legal Grounds for Getting a Divorce?
  5. 3 Finance Questions To Ask Before a Divorce
  6. Practical Preparations for a Divorce
  7. How to Divorce Within 3 Years of Marriage in Singapore
  8. Getting Divorced: Documents and Evidence to Prepare
  9. Getting a Divorce Due to “Irreconcilable Differences” in Singapore
  10. Online Divorce in Singapore: How It Works and Should You Get One?
  11. How Can I Divorce Overseas After Marrying in Singapore?
Divorce Fees
  1. Comprehensive Guide to Divorce Fees in Singapore
Getting a Divorce Lawyer
  1. 7 Experienced Female Divorce Lawyers in Singapore (2023)
  2. Can a Divorcing Couple Use the Same Lawyer? Pros and Cons
  3. 7 Best Divorce and Family Lawyers in Singapore (2023)
  4. The Complete Guide to Choosing a Good Divorce Lawyer in Singapore
  5. Don’t Just Go for the Cheapest Divorce Lawyer in Singapore
  6. Find Highly Rated Divorce Lawyers in Singapore
  7. Child Custody Lawyers in Singapore: Do I Need One?
Proving Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage
  1. How to Prove Adultery for Divorce Purposes in Singapore
  2. Getting a Divorce: How to Prove Desertion
  3. Getting a Divorce by Mutual Agreement in Singapore
  4. How to Prove Unreasonable Behaviour in a Singapore Divorce
  5. How to Prove Separation for a Singapore Divorce
Application for Divorce Part I: Dissolution of Marriage
  1. Your Spouse Doesn't Want to Divorce: What to Do
  2. Procedure for Dissolution of Marriage
  3. Simplified Uncontested Divorce vs Contested Divorce in Singapore
  4. Mandatory Parenting Programme Guide for Divorcing Parents
  5. Divorce Mediation in Singapore
  6. Divorce Application: What to Do If Your Spouse Cannot be Found
Application for Divorce Part 2: Ancillary Matters (Maintenance, Assets, Custody)
  1. Contempt of Court in Divorce: When You Can be Punished
  2. Guide to Co-Parenting for Divorcing Parents in Singapore
  3. Procedure for Ancillary Matters
  4. Maintenance of Spouse in a Singapore Divorce
  5. Filling in a Matrimonial Property Plan for a Singapore Divorce
  6. Dividing Matrimonial Assets in a Singapore Divorce
  7. What Happens to Your HDB Flat after Divorce?
  8. What Happens to Gifts Between Spouses During a Divorce?
  9. What Happens to Property and Assets Located Overseas Upon a Divorce in Singapore?
  10. Child Custody, Care and Control & Access: Singapore Guide
  11. Getting Divorced: Child Maintenance in Singapore
  12. Singapore Divorcee's Guide to Relocating Your Child Overseas
Post-Divorce
  1. How to Vary a Child Custody Order in Singapore
  2. How to Appeal Your Divorce Case in Singapore
  3. Divorce Certs in Singapore: How to Get a Copy and Other FAQs
  4. Transfer of Matrimonial Home to Ex-Spouse After Divorce
  5. Can Divorcees Buy or Rent HDB Flats, and How?
  6. What to Do If Your Ex-Spouse Does Not Provide Maintenance
  7. How to Vary a Maintenance Order After a Singapore Divorce
  8. What to Do If Your Ex-Spouse Denies You Access to Your Child
  9. Division of CPF Assets (Monies, House, Investments) After a Divorce
Expatriate Divorce
  1. Divorce for British Expats: Spousal Maintenance Under the Law of England and Wales
  2. Settling Ancillary Matters in Singapore After Foreign Divorce
  3. Typical issues in Singapore/England Divorces
  4. Immigration Issues for Divorcing Expatriates
  5. Can Foreigners Divorce in Singapore?
  6. Expat or Foreigner Divorce in Singapore: 10 Legal Issues to Consider
  7. Hague Convention: Overseas Child Abduction in Singapore Divorce
  8. Case Study: Cross-Border Child Custody and the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction
  9. Can British Expats in Singapore Choose to Divorce in England?
  10. Divorce for British Expats: Approach to Matrimonial and Non-Matrimonial Assets in England vs Singapore
  11. Divorce for British Expats: How the English Courts Deal with Financial Matters
Muslim or Syariah Divorce
  1. Fasakh in a Muslim Divorce in Singapore: Grounds & Process
  2. Divorce by Cerai Taklik: Guide for Muslim Wives in Singapore
  3. Muslim Divorce in Singapore
  4. Talak in a Muslim Divorce in Singapore (and Its Effects)
  5. Guide to Divorcing by Khuluk for Muslim Wives in Singapore
  6. Applying for Nafkah Idaah and Mutaah in a Muslim Divorce in Singapore
Other divorce matters
  1. Guide to Personal Protection Orders in Singapore
  2. Case Study - Love conquers All: The Divorce That Didn’t Happen
Annulment
  1. Annulling a Singapore Marriage: Requirements and Process
  2. What Happens to Your HDB Flat After an Annulment?
Separation
  1. Separation in Singapore Via Deed of Separation and More
  2. Judicial or Legal Separation in Singapore: When and How to File
Prenuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements
  1. Prenuptial Agreements in Singapore
  2. Should You Make a Post-Nuptial Agreement in Singapore?