How is a nikah broken or invalidated in Islam?

In Islam, a nikah ends through divorce, and there are several forms. The most common is talaq, where the husband pronounces divorce, often after a waiting period called iddah. A wife can seek khula, where she asks for a divorce, often by returning the mahr or agreeing to a settlement. The couple can also agree to a mutual divorce called mubara'at. In some cases, a judge or religious authority can dissolve a marriage, for example if the husband fails to provide or there is serious harm. A nikah can also be invalidated from the start if the contract was not valid, such as if consent was forced, if witnesses were not present, or if the couple was not eligible to marry, for example due to close blood relation. In the UK, Islamic divorce is separate from civil divorce. You must get a civil divorce from a UK court to end the legal marriage. The religious divorce, such as talaq or khula, is recognised by the Muslim community but not by UK law. Always seek advice from your imam and a family solicitor, and check GOV.UK for the legal process.