Divorced and Proud!
Marriage Collapse… When Divorce Becomes a Source of Pride!
When a
woman boasts about being divorced, we are facing a serious dysfunction—and an
even greater crisis with grave consequences: the collapse of the family, the
displacement of children, the fragmentation of society, and the spread of
immorality.
Divorce may
occur for a legitimate reason, due to the impossibility of continuing marital
life, or because of betrayal by one of the spouses. Yet it is not a matter of
pride, self-glorification, or praise. A covenant that Islamic law elevated in
status has been broken—a covenant the Quran described as solemn and firm. Allah the Exalted Says, {And how could you take it back after having enjoyed each
other intimately and she has taken from you a firm commitment?} [An-Nisa’ 4:21]
Among the
trials of our time is this reprehensible pride in divorce. One finds an
Egyptian media figure, stating: “Divorce has now become something very normal.
Girls now say: ‘I am divorced and proud!’”
A Saudi
media figure also declared that she feels no shame in the title “divorced,”
writing on her official Instagram account: “I am divorced and proud, because I
chose divorce of my own free will as a woman who owns her own decisions. What
matters most is that I am convinced, because my comfort is more important than
society’s view of me!”
Feminist Incitement and the Glorification of Separation
This
pride, without any doubt, is not rooted in realistic or rational causes.
Rather, it stems from extreme feminist ideas that encourage divorce and rebellion against
marriage—under the pretense of liberation from male authority, proving female
superiority, and asserting independence, defiance, and the ability to conquer
the impossible.
She
boasts of being divorced and “free,” yet may accept becoming a secret lover, or
slide into dens of immorality and deviance. She may long for chastity, yet
settle for a secret marriage, an informal contract, or even temporary marriage.
Is this the freedom she aspired to?
Some
divorced women take refuge with their families and refuse remarriage, only to
eventually submit to the harsh machinery of life—becoming a cog in a merciless
material system that grants them meager income while enslaving them in the
name of materialism and consumerism, under false slogans such as “women’s
work,” “women’s rights,” and “women’s empowerment.” Is this something to take
pride in?
Divorce Parties: When Separation Becomes a Celebration
An
Algerian influencer, identified celebrated her divorce by hosting a “divorce
party,” receiving congratulations in a video shared on social media. Standing
before a large cake, she said: “Today I will celebrate my birthday—and not only
that, but also my divorce party!” according to Al Arabiya Net.
Last
year, another Algerian influencer declared that she was “the first to launch
the divorce trend in Algeria,” topping social media trends in Algerian public
discourse.
Years
earlier, a Saudi TV presenter held a party to celebrate her divorce in the
company of several friends, who chanted: “Long live divorce!” Likewise, an
Egyptian woman organized a similar celebration, using a cake inscribed with the
words “Divorce Party,” rejoicing in obtaining her divorce after two years of
litigation in family courts, according to Egyptian newspapers.
I
personally know someone who boasts about being divorced twice, claiming she was
“liberated” and “healed” from pain—without considering her responsibility for the failure of both marriages, or the resulting displacement of children and the
loss of their future.
Undermining the Institution of Marriage
Repeated,
deliberate attacks on the institution of marriage—across media, culture, and
the arts—along with continuous feminist incitement against the concept of
family, have made the decision to divorce easier and faster than ever before.
Divorce has even become a source of pride, after once being viewed as a stigma
in many Arab and Muslim societies.
A recent survey
conducted on more than 2,000 couples of various ages found that 69% of divorce
cases occurred after the wife insisted on divorce repeatedly over several
years, according to the American Sociological Association.
Divorce as a Social Failure Turned “Trend”
This
excessive pride in divorce shifts the issue into a different realm and opens
the door to a widespread assumption—sometimes suspicion is justified—that the
dubious goal behind promoting divorce and transforming it from a social failure
into a “trend” is either spite toward the other party (the man), or sending him
a message that getting rid of him is a step worth celebrating.
In this
context, it is not unlikely that the “trend curse” lurks behind the scenes. The
repeated separations of celebrities and influencers—followed by reconciliation
with their spouses after garnering millions of views and hundreds of thousands
of dollars—cannot be ignored.
Divorce
is not a sign of strength for a woman, nor a path to independence as some try
to portray it. Many divorced women later regretted their decision, endured
divorce a second time, or fell prey to predators and exploiters who target
divorced women.
On the
other hand, some women did begin a new life and succeeded in compensating for
what they lost. Divorce is not the end of the road—but those who succeeded did
not boast about it. Rather, they overcame their ordeal, corrected their
mistakes, and moved forward with another partner to build a righteous family
upon the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet.
The
greatness of marriage lies in the fact that it is among the traditions of the
Prophets and Messengers. Allah the Exalted Says, {We
have certainly sent messengers before you ˹O
Prophet˺ and blessed them with wives and offspring.} [Ar-Ra`d 13:38]
When one of the Companions said, “I will have
nothing to do with women and will never marry.” The Prophet (peace be
upon him) replied: “…but
I marry women. He who is displeased with my sunna has nothing to do with me.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Divorce
parties must be criminalized before they become a widespread “trend” fueled by
digital obsession and viral culture. Society must rebuild awareness of the
value of marriage as an institution, the sanctity of the bond of affection and mercy, and the importance of improving the image of the family in the
media—as the primary building block for social stability, cohesion, and the
protection of chastity and moral integrity.
Also Read:
- Book Review: “Divorce Before the Judge” by Dr. Zainab Abul Fadl
- How Islam Protects Women's Rights and Emotions?
- Marriage: A Divine Sign for Thinkers and Proof Against Deniers!
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