For Muslim couples in the UK, divorce can feel complicated—not only emotionally, but also legally and religiously. Unlike some countries where Islamic and civil divorces are processed together, the UK treats them as two separate systems. This often leads to confusion about how long an Islamic divorce takes and what steps are required.
This guide breaks down the timelines, differences, and practical realities of Islamic divorce in the UK so you can approach the process with clarity and confidence.
Islamic Divorce in the UK: Two Systems, Two Timelines
In the UK, an Islamic divorce is not automatically recognised by civil law. This means:
- If you had both a nikah and a civil marriage ceremony, you need both a civil divorce and an Islamic divorce to be considered divorced in all senses.
- If you only had a nikah, you may not need a civil divorce—but you still need an Islamic divorce to dissolve the religious bond.
Understanding this distinction is important because it affects the overall timeline.
How Long Does an Islamic Divorce Take?
The timeline varies depending on the type of Islamic divorce and how cooperative both spouses are. Below is a breakdown of typical durations in the UK.
1. Talaq (Husband-Initiated Divorce)
Estimated Time: 3–4 months (including iddah)
Talaq is generally the fastest Islamic divorce route.
Timeline Breakdown
- Pronouncement of talaq – immediate
- Iddah period – around 3 menstrual cycles (approximately 3 months)
- Finalisation after iddah
Some Sharia councils in the UK request written confirmation or a small administrative process, but talaq remains relatively quick if the husband initiates it and follows through.
What Can Delay It
- Husband refuses to formalise paperwork
- Disputes over mahr (dowry)
- Misunderstanding about triple talaq (which is not accepted by many councils)
2. Khula (Wife-Initiated Divorce With Husband’s Consent)
Estimated Time: 1–4 months
Khula can be fast if the husband agrees to it. In a khula, the wife typically returns the mahr or mutually agrees on settlement terms.
Timeline Breakdown
- Application to a Sharia council – 1–4 weeks
- Meetings/interviews – varies
- Agreement from husband – immediate to a few weeks
- Issuance of Islamic divorce certificate – 2–6 weeks
Many UK Sharia councils process khula cases quickly if cooperation is strong.
What Can Delay It
- Husband delays giving consent
- Disagreements about returning mahr
- Backlogs or slow response from the Sharia council
3. Faskh (Judicial Divorce / Marriage Annulment)
Estimated Time: 4–12 months (sometimes longer)
Faskh is used when the wife seeks divorce without the husband’s consent, especially in cases involving:
- Abuse (emotional, physical, financial)
- Abandonment
- Non-support
- Husband refusing to grant talaq
- Husband missing or unreachable
Because faskh requires investigation, evidence, and sometimes witness statements, it is the slowest method.
Timeline Breakdown
- Application to Sharia council – 2–8 weeks
- Interviews, safeguarding checks, evidence review – months
- Attempts at reconciliation or mediation – optional but common
- Final ruling (annulment) – varies
- Issuance of certificate
What Causes Delays
- Difficulty proving grounds for divorce
- Husband refusing communication
- Heavy case loads at the council
- Complex safeguarding concerns
Nonetheless, faskh gives women a route to divorce even when the husband is uncooperative.
The Iddah Period: A Key Part of the Timeline
At minimum, Islamic divorce involves the iddah period, which itself affects how long the divorce takes:
- Divorce iddah: approx. 3 months
- Widowhood iddah: 4 months and 10 days
- Pregnancy iddah: until birth
Iddah is a required waiting period and cannot be shortened, regardless of location.
How Long Does a Civil Divorce Take in the UK?
If you also need a civil divorce, factor this into your timeframe:
Civil Divorce Timeline: 6–12 months
This depends on:
- Court backlogs
- How quickly each party responds
- Whether financial matters are contested
Because Islamic and civil divorces run independently, you can pursue them in any order, but many couples do both in parallel.
What Affects the Length of an Islamic Divorce in the UK?
Several factors can speed up or slow down the process:
1. Cooperation between spouses
A mutual agreement speeds up both talaq and khula.
2. The Sharia council is involved
Each council has different:
- Fees
- Processes
- Case loads
- Timelines
Some operate within weeks, others take months.
3. Complexity of the situation
Delays are more common if:
- There is domestic abuse
- A spouse is missing
- The couple disagrees about the mahr
- Communication is poor
4. Required evidence
Faskh cases involving safeguarding require the most documentation and time.
How to Speed Up the Process
While you cannot bypass religious requirements such as iddah, you can reduce delays by:
- Choosing a reputable, responsive Sharia council
- Submitting all documents promptly
- Keeping communication clear and civil where possible
- Seeking support from a solicitor familiar with Muslim family law
- Avoiding unnecessary disputes over mahr
Do You Need Both an Islamic and Civil Divorce?
You need:
- Both → if your marriage was registered with the UK government
- Only Islamic divorce → if marriage was nikah-only and never civilly registered
- Only civil divorce → if married legally but no valid nikah (rare but possible)
For most Muslim couples, completing both divorces ensures the separation is valid in every sense—legal, financial, and religious.
The length of an Islamic divorce in the UK depends on the divorce route (talaq, khula, or faskh), cooperation between spouses, and the Sharia council involved. On average:
- Talaq: ~3–4 months
- Khula: ~1–4 months
- Faskh: ~4–12+ months
- Civil divorce: 6–12 months
Knowing what to expect empowers you to navigate the process with greater clarity and confidence.