Divorce is the most hated permissible thing in the sight of Allah. It dissolves families and deprives children the family atmosphere. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The most hateful permissible thing (al-Halal) in the sight of Allah is divorce.” (Abu Dawud, Hadith 1863, Ibn Majah, Hadith 2008).

The spouses should avoid divorce as much as possible. If they have difficulties and problems they should be patient and forbearing. They have to try to work out their differences and seek help from their relatives, friends or professional counselors. Also, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, warned spouses against seeking divorce without justification, saying: “If any woman asks her husband divorce without a genuine reason, the fragrance of Paradise will be prohibited for her.”

There is no specific mention in Islamic teachings of intellectual compatibility as a pre-requisite for marriage. You say that the husband is a good man. Then what is wrong? What are these requirements he has to meet in order to be considered a good husband? How to claim that you can accept him as a friend but not as a husband? This is totally unreasonable. You should fear Allah and keep your life stable and show love to your husband unless you get yourself subject to Allah’s wrath.

Highlighting this fact, Sheikh `Abdel-Khaliq Hasan Ash-Shareef, a prominent Muslim scholar, states the following: “It is not love only that maintains families. Mutual respect and shouldering the responsibility of the children are other factors that help the family get stronger. In Islam, both husband and wife are commanded to show respect to each other and pay each other’s rights. Seeking divorce without justification is not permitted. A Muslim woman should look at the shining and the bright side of her husband’s character. He is loving and gentle. What is better than this? Education and money can never make family life a happy one. Thus, a Muslim woman should fear Allah and never think in this way.”
Almighty Allah knows best.