What is the ruling on a husband saying to his wife: "Your bed is forbidden to me," with the intention of deterring her?

The phrase "my wife is forbidden to me" carries three potential meanings, depending on the husband's intention:

1. Dhihar (Abusive Consumptive Vow): If the husband intends by it that his wife is forbidden to him like his mother's back, then it is dhihar. He is not permitted to approach her until he performs the expiation for dhihar, as mentioned in Surat al-Mujadalah (freeing a slave, or fasting for two consecutive months, or feeding sixty needy persons). 2. Divorce (Talaq): If the husband intends divorce by it, then one divorce occurs. If it is the first or second divorce, he may take her back as long as she is within her waiting period ('iddah). However, if it is the third divorce, she is not lawful for him until she marries another man. 3. Oath (Yamin): If the husband intends by it to prevent himself from sleeping on her bed, and does not intend dhihar or divorce, then it is an oath. He must offer expiation for the oath if he breaks it, which is mentioned in Surat al-Ma'idah (feeding ten needy persons, or clothing them, or freeing a slave; and whoever finds not, then fasting for three days).