Three Divorce Case
Question
I was married in 2017. In 2020, I issued a valid divorce, and the ʿiddah period concluded without any reconciliation. We later reconnected and remarried in 2024. Therefore, that 2020 divorce is counted as one in the past. Fast forward to July 2025, I sent a draft email to my spouse to review the wording of a divorce notice. My intention was purely to seek her input on the content, not to actually issue a divorce. I am uncertain if this act is counted as another divorce. Towards the end of July, I gave a verbal divorce, and we reconciled by re-consummating the marriage within the ʿiddah period. I am wondering if this should be considered our second divorce. Subsequently, in August, I issued a written and signed divorce notice, but we once again reconciled by re-consummating the marriage within the ʿiddah period. I need to know if this written divorce counts as our third divorce. Furthermore, I must mention that I was under significant pressure by my spouse during this period. I would greatly appreciate it if you could shed some light on this complicated situation. I am feeling quite confused, and with the ʿiddah period nearing its end, we both regret our actions and wish to reconcile.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Answer
You issued one divorce in 2020 and separated from your wife. You have not mentioned in your question if your wife married someone else after your separation or not. If she did not marry anyone else, then your verbal divorce towards the end of July will be regarded as your second divorce, and your written divorce in August will be regarded as your third divorce. Once three divorces are issued, the wife becomes unlawful and it is not possible to reconcile during the ʿiddah period or thereafter. The only exception to this is if she marries someone else and the marriage is consummated, and is then divorced or becomes a widow, then you can re-marry her. However, to pre-plan this and marry with an advance intention of divorce is a great sin.
On the other hand, if your wife married someone else after you separated in 2020, then your 2020 divorce will be wiped out. In this scenario, your verbal divorce towards the end of July will be regarded as your first divorce and your written divorce in August will be regarded as your second divorce. In this scenario, you can take your wife back during the ʿiddah period, or re-marry her after the ʿiddah period ends.
Divorce is not a trivial matter and has serious consequences, so you should be extremely cautious in this regard.
قال الله تعالى: فإن طلقها فلا تحل له حتى تنكح زوجا آخر، الآية. وراجع جوابنا المسمى: (https://islamicportal.co.uk/some-divorce-questions/)
Allah knows best
Yusuf Shabbir
25 Jumādā al-Thāniyah 1447 / 16 December 2025
Approved by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmed and Mufti Muhammad Tahir
