Does it count as a divorce if the husband says to his wife, "Divorce me," and she replies, "You are divorced," when this was done as a joke and without the intention of divorce?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
This كناية (allusive statement) is not considered a divorce unless it was intended as an authorization for the wife (to divorce herself), and she, by her words, intended divorce. As long as you did not intend divorce or authorization, and she did not intend for it to occur, then no divorce takes place, and your wife remains under your marital bond. Nevertheless, one must be cautious with such words, for divorce, whether serious or in jest, is equally binding.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/82080
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 82080
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy