Is a woman considered forbidden to her husband after he orally divorced her with three pronouncements, subsequent to having previously divorced her twice via text messages?
Writing a divorce is a metaphorical (kinayah) act, and divorce does not occur by it unless there is the intention (niyyah). If the husband intended divorce by writing it on both occasions, then two divorces have occurred. With the third divorce, you become unlawful for him, and you will not become lawful for him until you marry another husband, and he consummates the marriage with you and then separates from you, according to the Almighty’s saying: "And if he has divorced her [for the third time], then she is not lawful to him afterward until she marries another husband. And if he [new husband] divorces her, there is no blame upon them [the former husband and wife] for returning to each other if they think that they can keep [within] the limits of Allah." If he did not intend to effect divorce by writing, then his utterance of divorce three times effects three divorces according to the majority of jurists, and this is what we rule by. Therefore, since there is a need to ascertain the husband's intention in writing, and a disagreement regarding triple divorce, it is recommended to consult a Sharia court or ask scholars. One must also be careful of marital problems and strive to solve them with wisdom, not divorce.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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