What is the ruling on the following phrases, which I sometimes uttered with the intention of divorce and sometimes without, and do they constitute a divorce: 1. "Go to your father’s house, and take your belongings." 2. "Either I will complain about you, or I will separate from my wife." 3. "Do you want me to tell you that you are divorced if the child leaves without my permission?" 4. "Tell whoever comes to take the child that my husband will disinherit me if you take the child without his permission." 5. "If you hit the child, I will deal with you." 6. "I will leave the house; I will leave you. I cannot stay here amidst these problems." 7. "Go to your father’s house until I find a solution." 8. "If you stay with me, you will be wronged; choose." 9. "I couldn't. Do you have a solution? I don't want to wrong you by keeping you with me"?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The fundamental principle is the preservation of the marital bond. Divorce does not occur except through an explicit utterance indicating it (e.g., "You are divorced") or through an ambiguous phrase (e.g., "Go to your father's house") accompanied by the intention of divorce. Merely proposing divorce or promising it does not effectuate it. Anger does not prevent the occurrence of divorce as long as the person experiencing it understands what he is saying. It is incumbent upon the spouses to communicate and resolve problems wisely to avoid divorce, due to its negative consequences for the family and children.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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