If he thinks about divorcing his wife, does the divorce take effect?
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The fifth question of Fatwa No. ( 19307 )
Q5: If a husband thinks about divorcing his wife, is it forbidden for him merely by thinking about it without forming the intention to do so?
A5: Merely thinking about divorce or intending it without uttering it does not affect the prohibition of the wife, nor does the divorce take effect. What indicates this is what al-Bukhari and Muslim reported in (their Sahihs), vol. 7, p. 225, from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), that he said:Bulugh al-Maram 8:133 It is agreed upon, and this is the wording of al-Bukhari . If a person utters the divorce of his wife or writes it, the divorce takes effect upon her, even if he is joking. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q5: If a husband thinks about divorcing his wife, is it forbidden for him merely by thinking about it without forming the intention to do so?
A5: Merely thinking about divorce or intending it without uttering it does not affect the prohibition of the wife, nor does the divorce take effect. What indicates this is what al-Bukhari and Muslim reported in (their Sahihs), vol. 7, p. 225, from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), that he said:
Allah, the Most High, has forgiven my followers what they contemplate on within themselves (i.e. evil thoughts) as long as they do not act upon or speak about them.
إن الله تجاوز عن أمتي ما حدثت به أنفسها ما لم تعمل أو تتكلم
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.