Does the husband's saying to his wife jokingly after the marriage contract, "I don't want you," or his saying to her during a dispute, "If you remain like this, then you are no longer necessary to me, and I will end what is between us," count as a divorce, even if he does not intend divorce?
If the legal marriage contract (nikah) has been concluded with all its pillars, the woman becomes a wife, and divorce (talaq) can be pronounced upon her. If she did not intend divorce with the phrases "I don't want you" or "If you remain like this, you are no longer binding on me," then no divorce occurs. The phrase "I will end what is between us" is a promise that does not result in divorce unless it is acted upon. To be safe from obsessive thoughts (waswas), avoid uttering such phrases in the future, and seek refuge with Allah from Satan, for your wife remains under your marital protection. Be careful not to utter the word divorce in the future, even jokingly.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/104424