What is the most accurate interpretation of the Hadith: "What is wrong with people who trifle with the limits set by Allah, [saying] 'I divorced you,' then 'I took you back,' then 'I divorced you,' then 'I took you back'"? And what is meant by the phrase "I divorced you and I took you back" – is it an affirmation or a declaration? And does a divorce occur from someone who falsely reports a divorce? And does the Hadith indicate the prohibition of making a mockery of Allah's verses, or does it have another meaning?
The aforementioned Hadith was narrated by Ibn Majah, Al-Bayhaqi, and Abu Hanifah. It revolves around some people manipulating Allah's boundaries concerning divorce and reconciliation, with the intent of causing harm or divorcing excessively without need, as explained by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Al-Sindi. However, falsely claiming a divorce does not bring about a divorce. In matters of dispute, a Muslim should act upon what they believe to be closer to the truth, either by striving to understand the evidence (ijtihad) or by following the most reliable scholar, and that suffices them.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/153850