Fatwa ID: 08155
Answered by: Maulana Nuski Cassim
Checked and approved by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
Question:
I received a paper stating that my husband divorced me and we did not consummate the marriage at this time because we were in two different countries. He left me alone for a couple of weeks and came back and said he didn’t mean it. I went to a local Imam and we discussed our situation. The Imam said that I could take him back if I wanted to. So I decided to stay with him. We did not do another nikah and a year later we met and had sexual relations. Did I commit zina? If I did, then what do I need to do for Allah to forgive me?
Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
If the paper received mentioned a single divorce, then only one divorce has taken place. If, however, it mentioned three divorces clearly and explicitly, not just as part of an explanation, then this will be considered an irrevocable divorce (ṭalāq bā’in).<sup>[1][2]</sup>
Since you stated that the marriage was not consummated and both of you were in different countries, the waiting period (‘iddah) would not apply in this case.<sup>[3]</sup>
Furthermore, even if the divorce was issued during your menstrual cycle, it would still count as a valid divorce according to the Hanafi school.
Assuming it was just one divorce, then:
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Your husband can reconcile with you without the need for a new nikah.
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His return after a few weeks and his expressed desire to reunite is valid as reconciliation (raj‘ah).
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Physical intimacy (e.g. touching, kissing) would also clearly count as valid reconciliation.<sup>[4]</sup>
Therefore, you did not commit zina, because the marriage bond was still intact. However, one divorce has indeed occurred, and your husband now has only two divorces left.
It’s strongly recommended that both of you study the rules of divorce and reconciliation in Islam to prevent misunderstandings in the future.
May Allah ﷻ increase love and understanding between you both and preserve your marriage. Āmīn.
Only Allah knows best.
References:
رجل قال لإمرأته: أنت طالق أي شيء نوى لم يكن إلاّ واحدة يملك الرَجْعة
[شرح جامع الصغير للصدر الشهيد، صفحة ٢٩٣، دار الكتب العلمية]
الكتابة على نوعين: مَرْسُومة وغير مرسومة ونعني بالمرسومة أن يكون مَصْدرا مُعَنْوَنا مثل ما يكتب الى غائب
… فإن كانت مرسومة يقع الطلاق نوى أو لم ينولا يخلو إما أن أرسل الطلاق بأن كتب أما بعد فأنت طالق
[فتاوى قاضيخان، كتاب الطلاق، صفحة ٤١٥، دار الكتب العلمية]
ولا عِدَّة في الطلاق قبْلَ الدُّخول
[الاختيار لتعليل المختار، كتاب الطلاق، صفحة ٢١١، دار المعرفة]
الطلاق الرَّجْعِيّ لا يُحَرِّمُ الوَطْء، وللزوج مُراجَعتها في العِدَّة بغير رِضاها وتثبتُ الرَّجْعة بقوله، راجعتُكِ، ورجعتُكِ، ورددتُكِ وأمسكتُكِ، وبكل فعل تثبت حرمة المصاهرة من الجانبين
[الإختيار لتعليل المختار، كتاب الطلاق، صفحة ١٨١، دار المعرفة]
