Neco 2018 Islamic Religious Studies Question 7

A Muslim man, Ahmad, wishes to divorce his wife, Fatima, after five years of marriage. Fatima informs Ahmad that she is pregnant and they have two children aged 3 and 5 years. Ahmad has already pronounced three separate talaqs (divorces) in different circumstances, but Fatima argues that the third talaq is invalid because she was pregnant at the time. Ahmad also claims that the mahr (dowry) he paid at the time of marriage should be returned to him, and that he is not obliged to provide any further financial support after the divorce. Fatima, on the other hand, seeks to retain the mahr, claim maintenance for herself and the children, and wishes to know whether the divorce can be revoked. Answer the following: a) Analyse, with reference to the Qur'an and authentic Hadith, the validity of Ahmad’s third talaq in view of Fatima’s pregnancy. Include the relevant evidences and the ruling of the major Sunni schools of thought. b) Discuss the rights and obligations of both parties concerning the mahr and maintenance (nafaqah) after a valid divorce, especially when the wife is pregnant and there are minor children. c) Explain the concept of revocation (raḍʿ) of a divorce in Islam. Under what conditions can Ahmad revoke the divorce, and what procedural steps must be followed according to Islamic jurisprudence?