Is it permissible for me to take back my wife after two divorces, the first in a state of anger, and the second with full awareness?
The majority of scholars hold that every divorce issued by the husband applies to the wife, whether it is a Sunnah divorce or an innovative (bid'i) divorce. However, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and those who agreed with him differed, stating that an innovative divorce does not take effect.
If both divorces were issued by you, they are considered valid according to the majority of scholars, unless the first divorce was issued while you were not aware of what you were saying due to extreme anger, or if the second divorce occurred after the waiting period (iddah) had ended without a return (to the marital relationship).
If the first divorce was invalid due to extreme anger, and the second divorce occurred during the waiting period or after a return to the marital relationship, then it is valid.
If either one or both divorces took effect, you can take your wife back before the end of her waiting period. The waiting period ends with the third menstruation after the divorce, or with childbirth for a pregnant woman, or after three months for a woman who does not menstruate.
The return to the marital relationship (raj'ah) occurs through a statement, such as: "I have taken my wife back," or "I have returned her to my wedlock," or through sexual intercourse according to some scholars. The wife's consent or knowledge is not a condition for the return.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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