Has a divorce occurred in any of the following cases: 1. Upon agreeing to the wife's request, "Give my personal ID, private papers, and the contract to lawyer so-and-so" with the intention of divorce, or upon agreeing to her request, "Have your sisters collect my clothes and send them to my family's home"? 2. Upon uttering the word of divorce in a low voice without a clear intention or a deliberate comparison to the utterance, and is this considered a mistaken divorce? 3. Upon saying "I don't want her" loudly with the intention of separation? 4. Upon saying "I don't want her" to my mother with the intention of confirming the previous decision and not initiating a new divorce? 5. Upon discussing alimony and entitlements with the lawyer after divorce in a conversation that suggests the matter is concluded? 6. Upon informing the wife's father that two divorces have occurred and that my decision is not to reconcile and that separation is better? 7. Does my supplication for my wife, "Oh Allah, forgive me and my wife," after the aforementioned events, constitute a reconciliation? 8. Does repeating the words of divorce for inquiry from scholars or a lawyer, whether verbally or in writing, constitute a new initiation of divorce? 9. Does internal monologue from which words related to divorce emerge, even if not accurately remembered, cause anything to occur? 10. Does moving the tongue slightly without sound during internal monologue with the words "she won't return" cause anything to occur? 11. Does internal monologue directed at her father, "If it were just anger, I would have taken her back, but the matter is different," cause anything to occur? 12. Does uttering "divorced" or "مطلق" (divorced) about myself, meaning the end of the relationship, cause anything to occur? 13. Does mentioning the word divorce in a general context, and not specifically about my wife, cause anything to occur?
The answer is summarized as follows:
Divorce does not occur through self-talk, nor does it occur if its cause is obsessive whispers (waswasah).
Repeated questioning and seeking opinions from various muftis do not benefit the person afflicted with waswasah, and the best cure for waswasah is to ignore it.
Narrating a divorce does not bring about a new divorce.
Allusive (kinayah) divorce does not take effect unless intended, even if uttered in anger.
A wife's prayer for forgiveness is not considered a return (reconciliation) for her.
Uttering the divorce pronouncement, even in a low voice, brings about divorce, unless the speaker is overcome by waswasah, in which case their divorce does not occur.
The certainty of the marital bond (an existing marriage) is not removed by doubt regarding divorce.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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