What is the ruling regarding a man who divorced his wife with a single revocable divorce, then took her back, and a month later told her over the phone: "You are divorced, divorced," and explained his intention that these were two divorces preceding a previous divorce? Is she considered irrevocably divorced with three divorces, such that she cannot return to him except after a tahlil marriage?

When a husband says to his wife: "You are divorced, divorced," it depends on his intention. If he intended to emphasize, then one divorce takes effect. If he did not intend anything, then one divorce likewise takes effect. If he intended to initiate two divorces, then two divorces take effect.

And if the husband says: "You are divorced, you are divorced" (repeating the sentence), then divorce occurs according to the number of repetitions. However, if he says: "You are divorced, divorced" (repeating only the predicate), then one divorce occurs unless he intended more.

Based on your nephew's intention to initiate two divorces, three divorces have occurred, and his wife is unlawful for him until she marries another husband.

Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah was of the opinion that only one divorce is binding, even if he intended to initiate two divorces. In this case, two divorces would have occurred, and he can reconcile with his wife before her waiting period (iddah) ends.