How can the meaning of the word "twice" be understood in the Quranic verse: "Divorce is twice. Then, either keeping [her] in goodness or releasing [her] with benevolence," and is its interpretation linked to the intention of the divorcer, especially with the presence of the conjunction "fa" (ف) which indicates a temporal sequence? What is the response to those who believe that seeking dispensations leads to divorce not occurring, while Allah has permitted reconciliation twice?

The fatwas on this website align with the majority opinion that a triple divorce pronounced in a single word or sitting counts as three, while respecting dissenting views. The Quran must be interpreted with insight, not mere personal opinion, as Allah says: ﴿And that you say about Allah what you do not know﴾, and the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever interprets the Quran according to his own opinion and is correct, has erred."

"Divorce is twice" refers to the type of divorce where رجعة (reconciliation) is possible, or it explains the Sunnah of gradual divorce. The imams of fatwa have agreed on the validity of a triple divorce pronounced in a single utterance, and this is the view of the majority of the Salaf. So, if someone says to his wife: "You are divorced a thousand divorces," intending three or not intending anything, three divorces occur, and his wife becomes irrevocably separated from him, because anything more than three is an transgression against the verses of Allah.

This stance has been followed since the era of Umar ibn al-Khattab and the Companions. The disagreement of some scholars who believe that only one divorce occurs does not negate the sin of one who pronounces a triple divorce all at once, for doing so is considered playing with the verses of Allah.

As for the divorce of an angry person, it has three states: it does not count if the person loses his awareness; it counts by consensus for someone who experiences initial anger; and there is disagreement about what falls between these two states. Anger does not nullify the occurrence of divorce; rather, it is the predominant cause of divorce.

Divorce is not a matter for jest. Whoever hastens to divorce his wife three times is bound by it, for the Prophet ﷺ said: "There are three things which, whether done in earnest or in jest, are binding: marriage, divorce, and freeing a slave."