Divorce does not end parental responsibility- Chief Kadhi reminds Muslims
Children have a fundamental right to the love, care, and support of both parents regardless of the status of the marriage.
Acting Chief Kadhi Sheikh Sukyan Hassan Omar has called on divorced parents to uphold their responsibilities towards their children, emphasizing that marital separation should never compromise the rights, welfare, and emotional well-being of children.
Speaking recently during the Muongozi wa Kadhi programme on Iqra FM, Sheikh Sukyan expressed concern over the growing trend of parents neglecting their parental obligations following divorce or separation.
He stressed that children have a fundamental right to the love, care, and support of both parents regardless of the status of their marriage. “At all times, children need both parents in their lives and there is no justification whatsoever for one of the parents to abscond their responsibilities. Divorce does not mean that the rights of children are neglected,” he said.
He noted that Islamic teachings place a clear responsibility on parents, particularly fathers, to continue providing for and caring for their children after divorce according to their financial ability. “Taking care of children is an obligation upon the father, and this principle has no connection with divorce. Denying them that obligation is a form of oppression and is considered a sin in Islam,” he stated.
He urged fathers to embrace their responsibilities not merely as a legal requirement but as an act of worship that carries immense spiritual rewards.
Sheikh Sukyan further warned against the emotional and psychological harm inflicted on children when parents use them as instruments in marital disputes. He observed that some custodial parents deliberately prevent children from maintaining contact with the other parent, a practice he said contradicts Islamic teachings on preserving family and kinship ties.
“Children are being used as weapons to frustrate the other parent and to settle personal scores by denying visitation rights. This is not acceptable. If you have differences with your spouse, do not bring the fights to the children,” he said.
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He noted that such practices are increasingly common in custody disputes and often leave lasting emotional scars on children. “Children require love, protection, emotional connection and guidance from both parents. They should never be made victims of disagreements between adults,” he added.
The Acting Chief Kadhi also encouraged Muslim couples experiencing marital difficulties to prioritize reconciliation through family-based mediation before resorting to formal legal proceedings. He pointed out that Islamic tradition advocates arbitration involving close relatives, elders, and religious leaders as the first avenue for resolving marital conflicts.
“This is the best avenue for resolving disputes. However, if arbitration fails, the Kadhi Court remains available as a lawful recourse for parties seeking justice,” he said.
In cases where divorce becomes inevitable, Sheikh Sukyan urged couples to conduct the separation in accordance with the Qur'anic principle of Ihsan, which calls for kindness, dignity, fairness, and moral integrity even during difficult circumstances.
“The Qur'an repeatedly emphasizes that spouses should not allow conflict, resentment, or anger to lead to injustice or cruelty during divorce. Separation should be handled with dignity and respect for one another's rights,” he said.
He further cautioned against the growing influence of social media on family relationships, noting that excessive use of digital platforms and social media addiction has contributed to the breakdown of many marriages.
According to Sheikh Sukyan, healthy family relationships require communication, trust, and responsible use of technology, warning that unchecked social media habits continue to pose a significant challenge to marital stability.
