Fatwa ID: 08797
Answered by: Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Question:
I am a Muslim man seeking an Islamic legal opinion regarding an urgent family matter. During a heated moment, I pronounced “talaq, talaq, talaq” to my wife — three times in one sitting — out of anger and frustration.
Afterwards, I submitted a written talaq notice to the Union Council Chairman (as per legal requirements in Bangladesh). However, I am now deeply remorseful, and I wish to reconcile with my wife, if that is permissible under Shariah.
Unfortunately, my wife is mentally devastated, refuses to accept the talaq, and has even expressed suicidal thoughts. She is unwilling to leave the marital home and desperately wishes to return to the relationship.
Case Summary:
- I verbally uttered “talaq” three times in one sitting.
- I also submitted a written notice to the local authority.
- The 90-day waiting period (iddah) has not yet expired.
- My wife wants to return, and I also want to reconcile.
My Questions:
- According to authentic Shariah, does triple talaq in one sitting count as three divorces or only one?
- If it counts as one, how can I validly revoke the talaq (ruju) within the iddah period?
- If it is deemed irrevocable, what is my responsibility towards my wife who is mentally broken and threatening suicide?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Triple Talāq
Triple Talāq (3 Talāqs in one sitting) is against the Sunnah and is termed Talāq Bid’ah (innovative divorce). Despite its improper method, it is valid and causes 3 Talāqs to occur.
[Innovative divorce] (As for the innovative [divorce]), it is of two types: an innovative one with a cause related to the number and an innovative one with a cause related to the time. (The one) that relates to the number is to divorce her three times during one period of purity or with separate words[1]
You may not reconcile with your wife until she marries and consummates with someone else and gets divorced.
Advice
It’s important to involve your wife’s family and consider speaking to a counselor or mental health professional. Gently explain to her that the Talāq has taken place and that you cannot be together. Show kindness and compassion and give her words of hope and reassurance. Let her know that Allah SWT will always be there for her and take care of her in this challenging time. Tell her that Allah SWT will replace this with something better, and to always have hope and trust in Allah SWT.
References:
[1] (وَأَمَّا الْبِدْعِيُّ) فَنَوْعَانِ بِدْعِيٌّ لِمَعْنًى يَعُودُ إلَى الْعَدَدِ وَبِدْعِيٌّ لِمَعْنًى يَعُودُ إلَى الْوَقْتِ (فَاَلَّذِي) يَعُودُ إلَى الْعَدَدِ أَنْ يُطَلِّقَهَا ثَلَاثًا فِي طُهْرٍ وَاحِدٍ أَوْ بِكَلِمَاتٍ مُتَفَرِّقَةٍ أَوْ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَ التَّطْلِيقَتَيْنِ فِي طُهْرٍ وَاحِدٍ بِكَلِمَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ أَوْ بِكَلِمَتَيْنِ مُتَفَرِّقَتَيْنِ فَإِذَا فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ وَقَعَ الطَّلَاقُ وَكَانَ عَاصِيًا. (وَالْبِدْعِيُّ) مِنْ حَيْثُ الْوَقْتُ أَنْ يُطَلِّقَ الْمَدْخُولَ بِهَا وَهِيَ مِنْ ذَوَاتِ الْأَقْرَاءِ فِي حَالَةِ الْحَيْضِ أَوْ فِي طُهْرٍ جَامَعَهَا فِيهِ وَكَانَ الطَّلَاقُ وَاقِعًا وَيُسْتَحَبُّ لَهُ أَنْ يُرَاجِعَهَا وَالْأَصَحُّ أَنَّ الرَّجْعَةَ وَاجِبَةٌ هَكَذَا فِي الْكَافِي
(Al-Fatāwā Al-Hindiyya, vol. 1, pg. 349, Al-Maṭba’ah Al-Kubrā Al-Amīriyyah)
Only Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) knows best.
Written by Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
