ARTICLE
27 July 2016

UAE Family Matters Q&A: Can I Divorce My Husband If He Can't Have Children?

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Dr. Hassan Elhais

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Dr. Hassan Elhais, a long-standing member of the prestigious Amal Alrashedi Lawyers & Legal Consultants, is a renowned legal consultant in the UAE, specializing in family law, criminal law, civil law, company incorporation, construction law, banking law, inheritance law, and arbitration. Dr. Elhais has gained wide recognition in the country, winning numerous awards and accolades. He was declared the Legal Consultant of the Year in 2026 by Leaders in Law. He was also elected as the co-chair of the ‘Relocation of Children Committee’ of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a worldwide association of practicing lawyers, widely regarded as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. Dr. Hassan Elhais’s continued recognition in the 2025 Chambers and Partners rankings for Family/Matrimonial services to High-Net-Worth individuals in the UAE from 2022-2025.
I have been married for more than seven years. We have no children owing to my husband's medical condition. We have been having treatment throughout this time, trying for a child, but it has been unsuccessful...
United Arab Emirates Family and Matrimonial
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Question: I have been married for more than seven years. We have no children owing to my husband's medical condition. We have been having treatment throughout this time, trying for a child, but it has been unsuccessful. My question is: can I claim for divorce from him on this ground?

Answer: Yes, you can. According to Article 114 of the UAE Personal Status Law, you have the right to opt for divorce on the ground that your husband cannot have children. However, this is valid only if the following conditions are met:

  1. You do not have any children from any other marriage.
  2. You have medical reports to prove or establish the fact that your spouse is not able to father children.
  3. You have been married to him for more than five years.
  4. You should have proof that medical treatment was attempted.
  5. You are not more than 40 years old.

It should be noted that the above conditions are also applicable if the medical condition was with a non-Muslim wife and a non-Muslim husband wanted a divorce.

Also, if one of the conditions are not met, you will still have the right to apply for divorce on any other valid grounds. If no ground for divorce exists, a wife can still apply for a "Khula" to get the marriage terminated. However, this should be the last possible resort because you will lose various rights that you may otherwise have been entitled to.

Question: I am an Asian Muslim expatriate and I believe that my husband divorced me three times by saying the words "I divorce you" three times. Does this mean that I cannot remarry him at all?

Answer: It is a very common misconception among expats that the saying of "I divorce you" three times amounts to three separate divorces. This is not the case. The effect of saying, "I divorce you", whether once or three times, remains the same. It is considered one divorce.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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