Sania Mirza Opted For 'Khula' From Shoaib Malik. What Does It Really Mean?

The Indian and Pakistani sporting spectrum was left stunned on Saturday as the news of Shoaib Malik remarrying broke. Malik took to social media to share pictures with his new wife Sana Javed. The announcement confirmed the rumours of a not all being well between Shoaib and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza. Though the rumours of the two heading for divorce were afloat for several months, both remained tight-lipped on it. On Saturday, however, Sania's father confirmed that his daughter opted for a ‘khula' from the cricketer.

“It was a ‘khula'. I do not wish to comment beyond this,” said Sania's father Imran Mirza on the matter. But, what is a Khula and how is it different from a Talaq? 

What is a Khula?

Khula refers to the right of a Muslim woman to unilaterally divorce her husband. It is a right granted to women in Islam, allowing them the option to seek divorce, which leads to the termination of their marriage. It also has to be noted that after the separation, the husband bears the responsibility for providing the education and financial support for the children. The Children generally reside with their mother until they reach the age of “Hizanat.” For sons, it is seven years, and for daughters, it is until they reach puberty.

In case of Talaq, it is when the man in the marriage initiates a divorce.

Shoaib and Sania married each other in Hyderabad in April 2010 and they used to live in Dubai. While Sania never directly spoke on the matter, her social media posts said a lot about her mindset.

About a week ago she wrote on Instagram, "When something disturbs the peace of your heart, let it go," along with a picture of herself, standing before a mirror with eyes closed.

She posted another story on Instagram reading, "Marriage is hard, Divorce is hard. Choose your hard. Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard, Choose your hard. being in debt is hard. Being financially disciplined is hard. Choose your hard.

"Communication is hard. No communicating is hard. Life will never be easy. I will always be hard. But we can choose our hard. Pick wisely."