Fatwa No : 84754
Does Pronouncing the Words of Divorce Without the Intention Result in Divorce?

Does Pronouncing the Words of Divorce Without the Intention Result in Divorce?

What do the esteemed scholars say regarding the following issue: My wife and I argued over something. In a state of extreme anger, I said the following words to her three times: "What do you want—do you want a divorce? Here, take divorce, divorce, divorce." Now, I want to know whether divorce has taken effect in this situation or not, considering that I had no intention of divorcing her. These words came out of my mouth without any deliberate intention. Please inform me of the correct Shari'ah ruling in this matter.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

It should be clearly understood that a divorce given in a state of anger is also considered valid according to Shari'ah. Moreover, when clear and explicit words of divorce are used, the intention is not a condition — the divorce takes effect even without intention. Therefore, since the questioner uttered the words of divorce mentioned in the query to his wife, three divorces have taken effect, resulting in an irrevocable (mughallazah) separation. Reconciliation is no longer possible, and a new marriage between the two cannot take place unless a valid Shar‘i halalah is carried out. After the completion of her ‘iddah (waiting period), the woman is free to marry someone else.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

كما في الدر المختار : باب الصريح (صريحه ما لم يستعمل إلا فيه) ولو بالفارسية (كطلقتك وأنت طالق ومطلقة) اھ (3/ 247)۔
و في حاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار): (قوله لتركه الإضافة) أي المعنوية فإنها الشرط والخطاب من الإضافة المعنوية، وكذا الإشارة نحو هذه طالق، وكذا نحو امرأتي طالق وزينب طالق. اهـ. (3/ 248) ۔
و في الفتاویٰ الھندیة : به إذا كان الطلاق بائنا دون الثلاث فله أن يتزوجها في العدة وبعد انقضائها وإن كان الطلاق ثلاثا في الحرة وثنتين في الأمة لم تحل له حتى تنكح زوجا غيره نكاحا صحيحا ويدخل بها ثم يطلقها أو يموت عنها كذا في الهداية (1/ 473) واللہ اعلم بالصواب