Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, has said: "If you fear discord between husband and wife, appoint an arbiter from his people and an arbiter from her people; if they desire reconciliation, Allah will grant them the ability to do so. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware." These arbiters have the authority to separate the husband and wife or to reconcile them.

Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) said: I have heard from the people of knowledge that the statement of the arbiters regarding separation or reconciliation is valid and enforceable, whether the arbiters were appointed with the permission of the husband and wife or without their permission. According to some, their statement is enforceable only in reconciliation. Separation cannot occur without the husband pronouncing divorce, except if the husband has given the arbiter the authority to pronounce divorce, in which case the divorce will be effective.