"Is it permissible to take back a divorced wife during her waiting period (iddah) with only the intention (niyyah), without seeing her until after it ends, and continuing to provide for her? "

It is not stipulated for the revocation of divorce (raj'ah) that the wife sees (the husband), or is aware of it, or gives her consent. Scholars agreed on the occurrence of revocation by verbal utterance, and they differed on its occurrence by action, with or without intention. As for revocation by mere intention without word or action, the majority of scholars hold that it is not effectuated by it. However, some Maliki scholars were of the opinion that it is effectuated by intention, in terms of religious accountability and not judicial decree, due to the hidden nature of intention and the impossibility of proving it. And mere intention for revocation is not considered a valid revocation by scholarly consensus. The preponderant opinion is that of the majority. Therefore, if the waiting period (`iddah (definition)`) ends without the utterance of revocation or an action that effectuates it, such as sexual intercourse, the wife becomes irrevocably divorced. Spending on her during the `iddah` period is not considered a revocation, as it is obligatory. If you wish to take her back, you must marry her with a new contract if this divorce was the first or second.