What is the ruling of Sharia on a husband's statement to his wife: "If you speak to your brother, or his wife, or his son, or his son's wife, you will be on your own responsibility [or, you will be divorced]?"

The husband's statement to his wife, "You are on your own" (literally, "you are in charge of yourself"), is a veiled expression that could imply divorce or something else. If he did not intend divorce by it, then nothing occurs. However, if he did intend divorce by it, then he has made it contingent upon her speaking to her brother, or his wife, or his son, or his son's wife. A contingent divorce, if intended to be effective, becomes valid upon the occurrence of the condition. If the intention was to prevent or emphasize, scholars differ on its ruling, but most agree that it becomes effective upon the occurrence of the condition, and this is the prevalent fatwa. Therefore, if the wife speaks to any of those mentioned, the divorce takes effect. If this divorce does not complete the three (divorces), he may take her back before her waiting period (iddah) expires. Some scholars, such as Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, are of the view that divorce does not occur in this situation, and an expiation for breaking an oath is required. It is not permissible for the husband to prevent his wife from maintaining ties with her brother.