Article 85 of the Saudi Personal Status Law
المادة 85 من نظام الأحوال الشخصية · الفصل الثاني: الطلاق
The article divides divorce into revocable, which ends the marriage only when the waiting period ends, and irrevocable, which ends it at once, being either a minor or a major irrevocable divorce, each with its own effect.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
الطلاق نوعان، هما:
1- طلاق رجعي لا ينهي عقد الزواج إلا بانقضاء العدة.
2- طلاق بائن ينهي عقد الزواج حين وقوعه، وينقسم إلى قسمين:
أ- الطلاق البائن بينونة صغرى، لا تحل المطلقة بعده لمطلقها إلا بعقد ومهر جديدين مع احتساب الطلقات السابقة.
ب- الطلاق البائن بينونة كبرى، لا تحل المطلقة بعده لمطلقها إلا بعد انقضاء عدتها من زوج آخر دخل بها في زواج صحيح من غير قصد الزوج التحليل.
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 85 explained in plain English
This article sets out the two types of divorce and the effect of each on the marriage contract:
1- Revocable divorce: it does not end the marriage contract except when the waiting period ends; the marriage remains in place during the waiting period, and the husband may take his wife back until the waiting period ends under Article 87.
2- Irrevocable divorce: it ends the marriage contract when it takes effect, and is of two kinds:
- Minor irrevocable divorce: after it, the divorced woman is not lawful for her divorcer except by a new contract and dower, with the earlier divorces counted; return is possible with a new contract, but the number of earlier divorces remains counted.
- Major irrevocable divorce: after it, the divorced woman is not lawful for her divorcer except after she completes her waiting period from another husband who consummated a valid marriage with her, and without the husband intending to make her lawful again.
Article 86 determines when a divorce is revocable and when it is irrevocable: every divorce in a valid marriage is revocable, except a divorce completing the three, by which the woman is irrevocably separated by a major irrevocable divorce, and a divorce before consummation or seclusion, by which she is separated by a minor irrevocable divorce. Article 83 makes a divorce accompanied by a number or repeated in one session a single divorce.
Determining the type of a particular divorce and its effects requires examining the facts, so it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in personal status matters.
Practical example
A husband divorced his wife before consummating the marriage with her. This is a minor irrevocable divorce, and if they want to return a new contract and dower are required, with this divorce counted among the earlier divorces.
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 85 of the Saudi Personal Status Law
What is the difference between a revocable and an irrevocable divorce?
A revocable divorce does not end the marriage contract except when the waiting period ends, while an irrevocable divorce ends the marriage contract when it takes effect.
How does a woman in a minor irrevocable divorce return to her husband?
She is not lawful for him except by a new contract and dower, with the earlier divorces counted.
When is a woman in a major irrevocable divorce lawful for her divorcer?
After she completes her waiting period from another husband who consummated a valid marriage with her, without the husband intending to make her lawful again.
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 77
The article defines divorce as dissolution of the marriage contract by the husband's will by words indicating it.
الطلاق حل عقد الزواج بإرادة الزوج باللفظ الدال عليه.
- 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.
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.