What is the ruling on divorce if the husband is forced to do it?

The questioner : Regarding being forced to divorce. A man divorced his wife twice, and the last time, his sister's brothers forced him to divorce her because his brother discovered that he had been going to a fortune-teller. The fortune-teller said: "You must divorce your wife because you are a disbeliever."

The Shaykh : Regarding being forced to divorce: if it is in a manner that harms the husband, such as being threatened with death by someone capable of killing him, or with imprisonment, or with the taking of money that would harm him, then if he divorces, it is not a divorce. Even if he divorces a hundred times, it is not a divorce, because he is being coerced. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And the one who is coerced is protected from the ruling, for had he not been coerced, he would not have divorced. However, if it is merely that they compel him or advise him, then this is not coercion. And if he divorces, the divorce takes effect. Yes.