Does a divorce take place if a man says, "If I watch evil movies, my wife is divorced with a single divorce," and he watches them without the intention of divorce? And is it permissible to take back the wife merely by saying, "O Allah, if this divorce has occurred, I have taken back my wife," if he is alone?
If you did not utter the divorce, it does not take effect. However, if you did utter it, the majority of jurists believe that the divorce takes effect if the condition upon which it was made contingent is fulfilled, even if you did not intend for it to occur. Whereas Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah holds that it does not take effect and an expiation for a broken oath (kaffarat yamin) is required. The fatwa adopts the view of the majority. If your intention was merely a promise of divorce, it does not take effect by itself.
In the event of divorce taking place, the رجعة (revocation) is valid by your saying: "If this divorce occurred, I have taken my wife back," even if you are alone, as witnessing is recommended but not obligatory. It is necessary to draw attention to the prohibition of watching pornographic films and the obligation to repent from them immediately, and the necessity of not trivializing the marital bond, for it is a solemn covenant.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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