Does a triple divorce take effect with the words "You are divorced by three," and does this prevent the wife from being taken back unless she marries another, and what is the legal way to take her back in her situation?

Scholars have differed on the ruling concerning a husband who tells his wife, "You are divorced by three [divorces]," holding two views: The majority of scholars believe that it counts as three divorces, and the woman becomes irrevocably separated from her husband (Talaq (definition) Bainunah Kubra). On the other hand, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn al-Qayyim hold that it is considered a single divorce, and the husband is permitted to reconcile with his wife as long as she is still within her waiting period ('iddah (definition)). This latter view was supported by Imam Ibn Baz and some Companions and Tabi'un, and it is the relied-upon opinion on our website. Therefore, if this was the first or second divorce, the husband is permitted to reconcile with his wife as long as she is within her waiting period, and reconciliation occurs by him saying, "I reconcile with you," or any statement to that effect.