Should one divorce his wife amicably, or keep her as a wife, taking into account her suffering from a mental illness, her repeated lying about her previous social status, the ongoing marital problems, the family disputes, and the repeated attempts at divorce?

What happened between you and the woman before marriage—private seclusion, exchanging glances, and forbidden conversations—and the worries and distress after marriage, may be a result of the ill effects and punishment of sins. Sins manifest their punishments, and whatever grief and sorrow afflicts a believer is an expiation for their sins. You must repent to Allah for the previous relationship.

Regarding the marriage: If your marriage to her was conducted by her marrying herself off, then it is invalid, because a woman can only be given in marriage by her guardian or the ruler. However, if her guardian or a just Muslim man (when the judiciary is unavailable and there is no guardian) married her to you, then the marriage is valid.

Regarding the divorce: Your divorce of her via a mobile phone message is effective as long as you intended divorce by it, and similarly, your second divorce in front of people. As for the previous divorce pronouncements during problems, if they were explicit, they are effective. If you conditioned them on something and the condition occurred, and you intended the divorce to take effect, then it is effective. If your intention was to threaten her to prevent an action, scholars have differed on its effectiveness, and the preponderant view with us is that it is effective. If a man divorces his wife three times, she becomes unlawful for him until she marries another man and he then divorces her.