What is the ruling on saying "I have divorced you definitively" once or twice in a moment of anger, then saying "You are forbidden to me" with the intention of frightening and disciplining, and does this count as a triple divorce despite not intending divorce?
As long as you are unsure about the number of divorces, build upon certainty, which is one divorce. This is based on the statement of Ibn Qudamah: "And whoever doubts about divorce or its number... builds upon certainty." Your statement to your wife: "You are considered forbidden to me," without the intention of divorce, does not constitute a divorce. For a metaphorical expression of divorce does not result in divorce without intention. Therefore, it appears that only one divorce has occurred to your wife, and you may take her back during her waiting period if you have not divorced her more than once before this.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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