A man said in his heart, "You are divorced," but did not speak; does the divorce take effect?

Question:
The Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, says: Shaykh al-Bahuti (may Allah have mercy on him) said in *al-Rawd al-Murba'*: "If one pronounces divorce in his heart, it does not take effect; but if he utters it or moves his tongue, it takes effect." For example, if a man intends in his heart to divorce and says to himself, "You are divorced," but does not speak and does not move his tongue, does this example, may Allah preserve you, apply to the author's statement? Does his divorce take effect in this example, or does it not?

Answer:
It does not take effect. It only takes effect if he speaks it or writes it with his pen. As for what is in his heart, nothing takes effect by it. May Allah forgive you for errors and forgetfulness. What their souls have whispered to themselves, as long as they do not speak or act, yes.