Contribution to a Better Understanding of Repudiation

This article seeks to clarify the legal and social meaning of repudiation in Muslim family law. It distinguishes between the administrative and substantive dimensions of repudiation, examines the husband’s unilateral power, and discusses the safeguards owed to the wife, children, and third parties. The author also studies the forms of judicial supervision that may limit abuse, as well as the possibility for women to initiate or obtain dissolution in certain circumstances. The paper argues for a more balanced understanding of repudiation that takes into account both legal doctrine and the protection of family interests.