Does the aforementioned divorce, which occurred in three stages, take effect? Is it permissible for the husband to divorce his wife without her knowledge? Can the relationship between the spouses be mended after this divorce? Is it permissible for the divorced woman to refuse marriage and await the return of her ex-husband?

If the husband divorces his wife and then takes her back, then says: "She is not my wife," without intending divorce by it, then divorces her again, he may take her back during her 'iddah (waiting period). If the 'iddah ends, a new marriage contract is necessary. She is not forbidden to him, because he has only divorced her twice. His statement "She is not my wife" is a metaphorical expression of divorce. If he did not intend divorce by it, then nothing is incumbent upon him. The husband's concealment of the divorce and return from his wife does not affect the validity of the divorce and return, but he does wrong by neglecting to have witnesses for the return. Supplication for him is permissible, like for other Muslims.