Fatwa ID: 06821

Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

Question:

If a man has consigned the right of divorce to his wife, can anything be done to remove that?

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Uttering the words of Talaq (divorce) falls under two categories; Sareeh (clear wording) and Kināyah (vague wording). 

If clear wordings are used such as: “I divorce you” “You are divorced” or “I give you Talāq” whether they be said in person or not, via message, with witnesses present or not, etc. then this will cause Talāq (divorce) to occur immediately. The wife will then need to enter into Iddah.

The inference of such wording would mean Talāq Raj’i will occur which would subsequently allow for reconciliation to take place within the Iddah period without the need of renewing the Nikāh. Verbally uttering words or gesturing to her to return would be sufficient for the marriage to renew. Even looking at her with desire and lust would also have the same effect. [Al-Hidāyah: vol. 2, pg. 380] [1]

However, the use of vague wording where ambiguity remains (i.e., using such wordings which would not normally infer divorce) will require an intention of divorce to be present at the time of using such wordings. If an intention of divorce is not made when using such wordings, then Talāq will not take place. Examples of such wordings would be: “I free you” “I release you,” or “get out of here,” or “I don’t want to see you again” etc. [Al-Hidāyah: vol. 2, pg. 391-392] [2]

Simply uttering the words of Talāq alone is not sufficient for Talāq to take place. They need to be directed towards somebody, either by saying it directly to them or by mentioning the wife’s name.

After the husband has assigned the right of Talāq to his wife, he cannot revoke this right. [Al Mabsoot lis-Sarakhsi: vol. 6, pg. 183] [3]

Note:

If he gave her this right based on any conditions, then her right will only extend to this amount and not beyond. For instance, if he gave her the right of one Talāq, she could not provide TalāHq to herself twice or thrice. If she does so, then the second and third will be invalid. 

If it was conditional on a time frame, then her right becomes revoked after this period lapses. 

Only Allāh Ta’ālā knows best.

Written by Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1]الطلاق على ضربين: صريح وكناية. فالصريح: قوله أنت طالق، ومطلقة، وطلقتك، فهذا يقع به الطلاق الرجعي لان هذا الألفاظ تستعمل في الطلاق، ولا تستعمل في غيره، فكان صريح

[2]وبقية الكنايات، وهذا مثل قوله: أنت بائن، وبتة، وبتلة… لأنه تحتمل الطلاق وغيره، فلا بد من النية

[3]( قال ) وإذا جعل الرجل أمر امرأته بيدها فالحكم فيه كالحكم في الخيار في سائر مسائل الباب المتقدم إلا أن هذا صحيح قياسا واستحسانا ؛ لأن الزوج مالك لأمرها فإنما يملكها بهذا اللفظ ما هو مملوك له فيصح منه ويلزم حتى لا يملك الزوج الرجوع عنه اعتبارا بإيقاع الطلاق