What is the ruling on one who says to his wife: "Do not obligate me?"

If a man says to his wife, "You are not bound to me" (لا تلزميني) and intends divorce, then her divorce occurs. This is because it is one of the allusive expressions of divorce (kinayat al-talaq) which indicate separation when coupled with the intention. However, if he did not intend divorce, then nothing has occurred. In the event that a divorce does occur, he may take her back before her waiting period ('iddah) ends, provided this divorce is not the third one. The waiting period concludes after three menstrual cycles, or three months for one who does not menstruate, or upon childbirth for a pregnant woman. If this divorce completes the third divorce, then she is not lawful for him until she marries another man and he divorces her after consummating the marriage.