Is sitting with one's wife, calming her, reassuring her, and having intercourse with her considered a retraction of a divorce vow that the divorcer believed to have taken place? And does his ignorance of the terminology and his haste not intercede for him? And is it obligatory to inform the wife of the details of divorce fatwas that might harm the marital relationship? And what is the status of the marital relationship now, and how can one get rid of intrusive thoughts?

We have mentioned in previous fatwas that the preponderant opinion is that divorce occurs in a case like yours. Consequently, your marital intercourse with your wife is considered a return (raj'ah) according to the Hanafis and Hanbalis. Therefore, your wife remains under your marital bond unless this divorce completed three divorces. Your ignorance of the ruling does not prevent the divorce from occurring. There is no need to inform your wife that a divorce has occurred or to inform her of the return (raj'ah). Waswas (whispers of Satan) are from Satan, and their cure is supplication, seeking refuge [in Allah], and turning away from them.