MGT 3050

Decision Science (Decision Tree)

Title: Divorce Strategy

GROUP MEMBERS:
1. Rahmah Fitriah Binti A Razak 1327898
2. Fatin Amalina Binti Amran 1327320
3. Nur Fathin Aillyia Binti Mohamad 1325318

Section: 4 (Group 10)

Instructor: Prof. Dr. Rafikul Islam

Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 2
2.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................... 3
3.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT ...................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Managerial Report ........................................................................................................................ 5
3.1.1 Question 1 .............................................................................................................................. 6
3.1.2 Question 2 .............................................................................................................................. 8
3.1.3 Question 3 ............................................................................................................................ 10
3.1.4 Question 4 ............................................................................................................................ 12
4.0 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 14

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 1.0 INTRODUCTION

Decision tree is type of tree-diagram that used in determining the optimum course of action,
in situations having several possible alternatives with uncertain outcomes. The resulting chart
or diagram which looks like a cluster of tree branches displays the structure of a particular
decision, and the interrelationships and interplay between different alternatives, decisions,
and possible outcomes. Furthermore, a decision tree can be used to clarify and find an answer
to a complex problem. The structure allows us to take a problem with multiple possible
solutions and display it in a simple, it is easy for us to understand format that shows the
relationship between different events or decisions.

The furthest branches on the tree represent possible end results. By using decision
tree, we can choose the best option and can make the best decision making. For this group
project, we had chosen the topic of divorce. We choose divorce because nowadays most of
the couple married are divorce. In addition, the rate of divorce in Malaysia also higher year
by year as shown in the diagram 1. Divorce will create many problems on it. It can affect
many things.

Divorce may sound simple, but it is not easy for a husband and wife. Change is a
natural part of life, but when it happens to our family, it is sometimes really hard to deal with.
Sometimes it hurts kids' feelings when one parent wants to leave the house where they live. It
is hard not to take it personally. Many kids do not want their parents to divorce. Some kids
have mixed feelings about it, especially if they know their parents weren't happy together.
One major affect because of divorce is child custody. Both husband and wife had to think this
matter seriously. Even though they are divorce but they have to take cares their children.

Figure 1

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 2.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Rosmah is an accountant while her husband is an engineer. She got divorced by Nazim when
their son, Maslan just 3 years old and their marriage was 7 years already. She was 24 when
she got married while Nazim was 28. For the first few years, everything was all right and
then she noticed everyone around her was having babies and realised she wanted one too.
Unfortunately, it took some years which is a long time to conceive when she and her husband
have become obsess with getting pregnant. One night, Nazim did not come home until 6am
and he did not even try to hide the fact that he spent the night in a hotel with a woman. He
said he just wanted to have some fun for a change and for every single thing not to be about
having a baby. For the next few months, she found it difficult to trust him and at the same
time she finally gets pregnant, she felt like it is a fresh start.

When they did eventually go to village and talk about how they were going to pull it
back together, it was too late. Had they had counselling nine months before when it started to
go wrong, they might have been able to save it. They had a lovely child, a lovely home and
probably could have ticked along happily, at least until Maslan was older.

Nazim eventually moved out when Maslan was three. The most traumatic experience
of Rosmah’s life was when on Friday evenings for about three months until he got used to
when Maslan would be clinging to her, sobbing and Nazim would have to pull him off her to
take Maslan away for the weekend. It made her hysterical. And then on Sunday night, the
same thing would happen in reverse and Maslan be clinging to Nazim and her have to pull
him off.

Regrettably, their marriage starts having a problem since Rosmah has difficulties to
pregnant. Rosmah found the first six months to a year of having her son are very difficult.
She felt trapped at home with no job, which meant no income. She later discovered that
Nazim massively resented her not working. Therefore, she quit her job as an accountant. Her
main concern now is trying to ensure that Nazim and Maslan have a good relationship.

Recognises that they looked for help with their problems early on, they could have
stayed married for their son’s sake. A counsellor told her that actually divorce is easier on
younger children because once they get to around age seven, if a parent leaves they think it’s
their fault that if they had not been naughty and knocked over that glass or vase or whatever,
his dad would not have gone.
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 Thus, when her husband wants to get divorced, she had a problem either to settle this
case at court or outside court because both of them argue about child custody. If she settles
the problem at court, it will cost her $3,000 for lawyer’s fee. The probability for her to win in
this case is 60%, while 40% lose. But what matter the most is she did not have any source of
income if anything happen during their trial. She worried if that factor might cause her lose
her son, Maslan according to the law.

Besides, Nazim also want to fight for the child custody. The probability for her
husband to win the case is 40%, while 60% lose but he might win because he has a job. If
both of them appeal, it will cost them another $5,000 for lawyer’s fee and trial. The
probability for appeal is 75%, while 25% for no appeal. Therefore, if they settle this case
outside court, both of them no need to pay anything. On the other hand, if Rosmah win this
case, her husband has to pay $10,000 for her and her son living cost. So, they have to decide
which one is the best for their child custody.

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 3.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Divorce might sound simple. But it affects everything. For this case, Nazim had plan to
divorce with Rosmah after they had married for seven years. Rosmah did not agree with the
decision that her husband made because she loves her husband no matter what her husband
do to her. She loves her marriage. Unfortunately, Nazim already decided to divorce with
Rosmah and married another girl. Some of the happen conflict along the process of divorce.
The first conflict happen when they waited for a long time to have a child. After four years
married, then they only have a child. It makes Nazim want to married another one. During the
process of divorce, Rosmah also facing another problem. Both of them are fighting for child
custody because they want their only children, Maslan stay with them.

Furthermore, if they want to settle in court, they have to pay for it. They have to make
decision whether they want to settle in court or settle outside of the court. If they settle in or
outside court, what are the chances that his husband or Rosmah win. So, the concept of
decision making had applied in this situation.

3.1 Managerial Report

Perform an analysis of the problems that facing Rosmah and prepare a report that
summarizes your findings and recommendations. Include the following items in your report.

1. A decision tree that shows the logical sequence of the decision science problem.
2. A recommendation regarding what Rosmah should do if his husband does not want to
settle in court and what her husband must do if Rosmah agree to settle outside court.
3. A decision strategy that Rosmah should follow if they settlement in court is
conducted.
4. Regarding to the Islamic perspective law, what do you think the best decision that
they need to make in order to make both parties are happy even though they are
divorce?

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3.1.1 Question 1
Decision Tree

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3.1.2 Question 2

If Nazim do not want to settle the problem in court, Rosmah has to provide simple
expense tracking worksheets so she could accurately compile her historic spending patterns to
survive. Besides, she has to explain unfamiliar items and what to consider when planning her
next steps. Then, clarify what expenses she had be facing in keeping the house, and in doing
so, why keeping the house was not an affordable option. Furthermore, she must do a research
about the cost of alternative housing. Furthermore, her husband must help her pre-qualify for
a small mortgage on a possible new house.

As we can see, based on the decision tree, if Rosmah settle this case at court, she has a
high probability to win this case. But if she settles outside court, the probability that she
might not get at least $10,000 is also high. Besides that, she has to manage properly about the
time her son has to spend with her and her husband. The positive outcome here is they do not
have to spend $3,000 or more for lawyer’s fee and trial. Hence, Rosmah still have to manage
her financial properly in other to raise her son. If not, she might lose her son easily if she
decides to settle outside court.

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 Then, if Rosmah agree to settle this problem outside court, Nazim must be prepared
child maintenance depending on who is looking after Maslan. Whoever pays the money is
known as the "non-resident parent" in legal terms. In most cases, that is the ex-husband or
father. According to law, a child's father (or mother) is obliged to pay for this support
whether or not there is any contact. The two issues are entirely separate but in reality
disagreements about maintenance sometimes lead to problems with contact. On the other
hand, a father who has regular contact is more likely to pay maintenance on a regular basis.
Thus, Nazim should be able to prepared child maintenance cost if Rosmah is the one who
raise Maslan.

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3.1.3 Question 3

State of nature

Decision alternative win lose

Husband $1000 $500

Wife $4000 $2000

EV (Husband, appeal): 0.25 (1000) + 0.75 (500) = 625

EV (Wife, appeal): 0.25 (4000) + 0.75 (2000) = 2500

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 Hence, Rosmah should appeal for the child custody and nafaqah for her. In decision
making, Rosmah win compared to his husband. She has higher chances to win if she decided
to settle in court. This is because, if husband and wife are divorce, according to the Islamic
law, wife has higher chances to get for child custody compared to the husband. We make this
decision after we calculate the expected value. Regarding to the expected value that we
calculate, Rosmah has higher value which is $2500 compared to his husband that get only
$625. Expected value means it measures how much better you could do on this decision if
you could always know when each state of nature would occur.

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3.1.4 Question 4

Islamic Perspectives

Regarding to the Islamic perspective law, there some decisions that they need to make in
order to make both parties are happy even though they are divorce. In this problem, Nazim
wants to divorce his wife, Rosmah and both of them fight of child custody. Custody can be
defined as the legal authority to control a child. In Islam custody can be called as Hadhanah.
The power to make important decisions about a child is generally referred to as "legal"
custody.

The power to maintain physical, day-to-day control over a child is generally referred
to as "physical" custody. The custodial parent is the parent with physical custody of a child.
The other parent is the non-custodial parent. Both parts of custody - legal and physical - can
be sole or joint. Child Custody refers to who has legal decision-making authority in the life of
a child. The decision-making authority is usually in regard to major life issues such as
religion, education, health and activities.

Besides that, it is compulsory for Nazim to give consolatory gift upon divorce or
Muta’ah towards his wife. Muta’ah originates from the Arabic word al-Mataa’ meaning
things which may delight the heart and can be put to good use. From Syarak point of view it
is means granting of a husband’s assets which is compulsory (wajib) to the wife after divorce
under certain terms and conditions. The evidence which suggests that muta’ah is compulsory
(wajib) is contained in Allah’s commandment in Al-Baqarah (surah 1: verse 236);

“There is no blame upon you if you divorce women you have not touched nor specified for
them an obligation. But give them [a gift of] compensation - the wealthy according to his
capability and the poor according to his capability - a provision according to what is
acceptable, a duty upon the doers of good.”

Then, Regarding the issue of maintenance of children, it is the duty of father to

spend on them whether their mother is still a wife of the father's children or not until these
children reach the age of 15, or until the signs of puberty become apparent on them, as at this
age they become able to earn their own money and they have no excuse. Allah said:

"but the father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother's food and clothing on a
reasonable basis"(Al-Baqarah 2:233).

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As regards his daughters, he should provide for them until they get married. However, if the
father is poor and has no money to spend on his children, then the mother should spend on
her children if she is able to do so, and she has no right to ask him to compensate her for
doing so. Therefore, Nazim still need to give Nafqah towards his son, Maslan even he loses
on fighting of child custody.

In addition, Nafqah is defined as an obligation of material support for the wife and
children. This is a gendered entity in Islamic marriage, as long as the marriage has been
consummated. When the marriage is consummated, the husband becomes responsible for
providing his wife and children born of the marriage with food, clothing, and shelter
regardless of the wife’s own resources. In the event of divorce, the former husband must
continue to support his wife for the following three months of her ‘iddah, a waiting period
after divorce, during which a woman may not marry another man. At the end of her ‘iddah,
the wife is legally free to remarry.

Although a divorce is allowed in Qur’an, 4:130 whenever a friendly understanding

cannot be reached between a husband and his wife, there is a further suggestion indicated via
the Qur’an in an attempt to reconcile the marriage before the decision for a divorce is
obtained:

“If ye fear a breach between them twain, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family, and
the other from hers, if they wish for peace, God will cause their reconciliation. For God
hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things.” (Qur’an, An-Nisaa :35 )

This verse shows that divorce is the very final solution. As far as possible, a marriage
institution is to be maintained, and the couple should try every possible way to try to
reconcile the marriage in order to avoid a divorce.

This sums up the Islamic laws concerning divorce and reconciliation. Here, the
Qur’an is clear that the couple is given an opportunity to reconcile twice before the third and
final divorce. Both the first and second divorce are effective unless and until the couple sues
for a reconciliation. On the third, and final, divorce, the same couple is not allowed to
remarry unless the wife marries another husband. It is only effective after the third divorce, or
if the husband pronounced the divorce thrice after realizing the consequences of his actions,
thus, that there will be no opportunities for a reconciliation.

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 4.0 CONCLUSION

This decision-tree analysis was used in order to get optimal solution in the best way. The
problems and probabilities were been referred as a platform to achieve optimal answer. We
had recognized some issues regarding to divorce for Muslims and we diagnose or arisen an
issue as an example to solve that matter. Decision strategy has been computed as a way to get
result which probabilities occasioned highest ratio to win for this problem.

Furthermore, after some evaluation has been made, recommendations have been formed
to give some suggestion to them; it is to give a clearly figure whether they need to settle the
problem inside or outside court. The sample information has been collected to be measured as
efficiency to get best solution regardless of the risks. The possibility to win is depend on the
percentage that support to achieve the success. By the way, by having highest probabilities
does not mean that he or she will win. It is just a calculation made which may give 90%
accurate answer. Allah said;

"Allah, The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He
only says to it, "Be," and it is." (Surah al Baqarah 2:117)

Therefore, some views in Islamic perspective needed to give more distinct thought and
increase in Islamic knowledge. This case issue regarding to the divorce is shows that it is a
test by Allah. Everyone in this world will be tested by Allah in so many ways. Patience is an
important element to face any challenges in this world.

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