Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The wife of Thābit ibn Qays came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I do not blame Thābit for any defect in his character or his religion, but as a Muslim, I dislike to act ungratefully." On that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said (to her): "Will you give him his garden back?" She said: 'Yes.' Then the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to Thābit: "Accept (to take back) the garden, and divorce her once."
GradingAuthentic hadith
AttributionNarrated by Bukhari
Explanation
This Hadīth shows that the wife of Thābit ibn Qays (may Allah be pleased with him) (who was one of the best Companions) came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and told him that she did not disapprove of Thābit's religiosity and morality, for he was one of the best observant and ethical Companions. However, she feared that if she continued to live with him, she would act ungratefully and neglect his duties, a practice that represents a violation of Shariah. She disliked him because he looked ugly. Therefore, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) suggested to Thābit that his wife should return to him the garden that he had given her as a dowry and he should give her an irrevocable divorce. Thābit (may Allah be pleased with him) complied. Muslim jurists consider this Hadīth the basic textual reference on Khul‘ (wife-initiated divorce).