A married couple had a dispute, so the wife left the marital home for her mother’s house. The husband then called his mother-in-law and divorced his wife thrice over the phone, saying to his mother-in-law: “Tell your daughter that she is irrevocably divorced (ṭāliq bi al-thalāth)” three times. What is the Sharʿī (Islamic legal) ruling on this?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and companions. To proceed:

Divorcing with three pronouncements results in three divorces according to the majority of jurists, while Ibn Taymiyyah held the view that it constitutes only one divorce. According to the majority, nothing further results from repeating the divorce since the marital bond is severed and the irrevocable major divorce (baynunah kubra) has occurred. According to Ibn Taymiyyah, one divorce takes place if pronounced during a period of purity in which no intercourse occurred, and subsequent pronouncements do not count if he has not taken her back.

The preponderant view is that of the majority, which is that three divorces occur. It is advisable to consult specialized authorities regarding personal status issues. Moreover, it is imperative to maintain respect and understanding between spouses and to be cautious about resolving problems through divorce. It is not permissible for a woman to leave her husband's house without his permission merely due to a quarrel.

And Allah knows best.