Please, I need a help. I divorced my wife because she does not want to practice Islam. She also behaves as if she was not a married woman. Although we have four children, she is fliting around. My children suffer; they can even hardly concentrate on their studies.
In my region, a woman with such character is an abomination. If I take her back, it is like I have committed a crime against the society. But my children do not practice Islam again. I want to bring her back because of my children. Please, I need your advice.
Answer
In this counseling answer:
• Children don’t just need their parents to be together; they need their parents to be in harmony and create a healthy home.
• If you work full-time, it will be necessary to get help from a nanny or family member.
• Ideally, when you are ready, you can explore other potential partners whose values and beliefs are aligned with your own, in hopes to create the family culture you desired with the mother of your children.
• Get professional support to work through your issues with your wife.
As-Salaamu ’Alaikum,
You are in a difficult situation for sure! Please reflect on what you asked more deeply.
On one hand, you divorced your wife because she is not religious, disrespectful, and she “causes your children suffering.”
On the other hand, you are saying you want to bring her back for the sake of your children? How so? What value and benefit will stay with your wife bring your children if what you said is true about her?
It sounds like you do not want to be with your wife because, as you described, she is an “abomination.”
Often, couples say “we want to work it out for the children”, and sometimes this is a good reason only if a healthy marriage is possible.
If the couple cannot be in harmony and set a good example as adults, then you may damage your children more!
Children don’t just need their parents to be together; they need their parents to be in harmony and create a healthy home.Otherwise, what is the point of being together?
There are many people who turned out messed up and their parents stayed together – that is not the solution in and of itself.
If you are unable to actualize harmony in the home with your wife, you run the risk of damaging your children more if they observe harmful acts, conflict, and contradictions between the parents.
I encourage you to seek counsel in your area with professionals and family members and really think about the benefit and harm of both staying married or being unmarried.
If you decide to remain divorced, it is important to acknowledge that it will be a difficult task to raise children alone.
If you work full-time, it will be necessary to get help from a nanny or family members.
Ideally, when you are ready, you can explore other potential partners whose values and beliefs are aligned with your own, in hopes to create the family culture you desired with the mother of your children.
Check out this counseling video:
If you decide to stay married, it is imperative to get professional support to work through your issues with your wife.
If counseling services are not available in your local area, try to get respected family members or other learned individuals to offer support and moderate a discussion on each of your marital needs and why you want them fulfilled.
If you still find her resistant and opposing to your values, you need to accept that she also has the choice to live her life the way she wants.
I know this is difficult to swallow, but that is why humans have free will and why we are going to be accountable for how we use it before the Divine (swt).
The reality is that we can not force others to do anything, and marriage requires both partners to want and aspire towards the same goals.
Keep her in your prayers, regardless. I hope you have a few ideas on how to move forward.
May Allah (swt) help you,
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