Does the utterance "You are divorced" via WhatsApp constitute divorce if it was intended as a threat and not as an actual divorce?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Scholars differ regarding the occurrence of divorce by writing its explicit لفظ (word). Some are of the opinion that it occurs absolutely, while others believe it does not occur unless there is an intention, as writing may be for purposes other than divorce.
It is preferable to act upon the opinion of those who say that divorce does not occur by writing without the intention of effectuating it, while being careful not to repeat such an action. This is because intimidating the wife with divorce is not among the legitimate means of reforming her; rather, it contradicts living together in kindness (ma'ruf).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/159503
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 159503
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy