Is the waiting period (iddah) obligatory for the wife, and is it permissible for her to leave her family's home for study after her husband told her "you are divorced," and then he later denied the divorce, knowing that this is the second divorce?

If a husband pronounces divorce in a state of extreme anger where he does not comprehend what he is saying, his divorce does not take effect. However, if his anger was not to this extent, and the wife is certain that he pronounced divorce, then courts do not accept her claim unless there is evidence (two witnesses) or the husband’s oath. If the husband refuses to swear an oath, the divorce is ruled.

From a religious perspective, the iddah (waiting period) begins from the moment he pronounces divorce, and she must abstain from her husband until he takes her back either by verbal declaration or by sexual intercourse with the intention of taking her back. If he does not take her back during the iddah, a minor irrevocability (baynunah sughra) occurs, and she is not permissible for him except with a new marriage contract.

If the wife claims divorce and the husband denies it, his word is accepted unless she has evidence. The husband is then asked to swear an oath. If he pronounced three divorces and she heard it or it was proven to her by the testimony of two just witnesses and he denies it, she is not permitted to allow him to have access to her, and she must flee from him, not adorn herself for him, and escape from him.

A divorced woman is permitted to go out for exams and revision during her iddah with her husband's permission. If he had given her permission to study before the divorce and did not prevent her, then there is no harm in her going out.