Is it permissible to retract an oath of divorce despite the presence of the intention to divorce? And does that require expiation and specific conditions? And does that contradict the scholarly consensus? And how do those who oppose it respond to it? And can it be used as a one-time dispensation for someone suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder? And is it necessary to inform the wife that these oaths have been dropped? And is the dropping of each oath done by its specific wording or by intention?

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah held that one who swears by divorce with the intention of its occurrence upon the fulfillment of the condition is, in reality, suspending divorce and not truly swearing. Thus, divorce takes place when the condition is met, if the intention was its occurrence. He also held that it is permissible to retract the suspension of divorce before the condition occurs, and no expiation for an oath is binding upon him. As for a person suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, divorce uttered by him due to obsessional thoughts is not effective, whereas divorce uttered by him by choice should be acted upon according to what brings tranquility to his heart. It is not incumbent upon the husband to inform the wife of his retraction from the suspension.