Article 77 of the Saudi Personal Status Law
المادة 77 من نظام الأحوال الشخصية · الفصل الثاني: الطلاق
The article defines divorce as dissolution of the marriage contract by the husband's will by words indicating it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
الطلاق حل عقد الزواج بإرادة الزوج باللفظ الدال عليه.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 77 explained in plain English
This article provides the definition of divorce in the Personal Status Law, which is: dissolution of the marriage contract by the husband's will by words indicating it.
This definition contains three elements:
- Dissolution of the marriage contract: divorce ends the marital bond, and is one of the five cases of separation listed in Article 76.
- By the husband's will: divorce is pronounced by the husband's will, and the husband may authorize another to pronounce divorce under Article 84.
- By words indicating it: divorce requires an expression that indicates it. Article 78 explains that these words are of two types: explicit and implicit, and Article 79 explains that divorce takes effect by speech or writing, and by an understood gesture when unable to do either.
This definition is the basis on which the remaining provisions on divorce are built, such as the cases in which it does not take effect in Article 80, its types, revocable and irrevocable, in Article 85, and the requirement to document it in Article 90. Anyone with a question about whether a divorce has taken effect in a particular case would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in personal status matters.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 77 of the Saudi Personal Status Law
What is the definition of divorce in the Personal Status Law?
Divorce is dissolution of the marriage contract by the husband's will by words indicating it.
Is divorce by the husband's will?
Yes, the law defines divorce as dissolution of the marriage contract by the husband's will, and allows him to authorize another to pronounce divorce under Article 84.
More articles on Divorce
- Article 40
The article provides that the dower is owed under a valid marriage contract, confirmed in full by consummation, seclusion or death, and that a woman divorced before consummation is entitled to half the named dower or a consolation gift.
1- يجب المهر بموجب عقد الزواج الصحيح. 2- يتأكد المهر المسمَّى كاملاً -أو مهر المثل- بالدخول، أو الخلوة، أو وفاة أحد الزوجين. 3- تستحق المطلقة قبل الدخول نصف الم
- Article 53
The article provides that maintenance is owed to a woman in her waiting period after a revocable divorce until the period ends, and not to one in her waiting period after an irrevocable divorce unless she is pregnant, in which case she is entitled until she gives birth.
1- تجب النفقة للمعتدة من طلاق رجعي إلى حين انتهاء عدتها. 2- لا تجب النفقة للمعتدة البائن إلا إذا كانت حاملاً، فلها النفقة حتى تضع حملها.
- Article 76
The article sets out the cases in which separation occurs between spouses: divorce, khul', annulment of the marriage contract, the death of either spouse, and li'an.
تحصل الفرقة بين الزوجين في أي من الحالات الآتية: 1- الطلاق. 2- الخُلع. 3- فسخ عقد الزواج. 4- وفاة أحد الزوجين. 5- اللعان بين الزوجين.
- Article 78
The article divides the words indicating divorce into explicit words, being the word divorce and its derivatives, and implicit words, which could mean divorce or something else and take effect only if the husband intended divorce.
اللفظ الدال على الطلاق نوعان: 1- صريح، وهو لفظ الطلاق أو ما تصرف منه. 2- كناية، وهو اللفظ الذي يحتمل الطلاق وغيره إذا نوى به الزوج الطلاق.
- Article 79
Divorce takes effect by speech or by writing, and when unable to do either, by an understood gesture.
يقع الطلاق بالنطق أو بالكتابة، وعند العجز عنهما فبالإشارة المفهومة.
- Article 80
Divorce does not take effect in these cases: by a person who is not of sound mind or not acting voluntarily, a person whose mind was lost by choice, a person in extreme anger, and divorce during menstruation, postnatal bleeding or a purity period with intercourse, if the husband knows.
لا يقع الطلاق في الحالات الآتية: 1- طلاق غير العاقل أو غير المختار. 2- طلاق من زال عقله اختياراً ولو بمُحَرَّم. 3- طلاق من اشتد غضبه حتى حال بينه وبين تحكمه في
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.