What is the ruling on the divorce of a joking person?

Question:
This is a questioner from Riyadh who says: A man went to his colleagues, and they asked him about his family, so he said to them: "I divorced her," meaning the wife of this man, and that was in jest with them. Is this considered a divorce?

Answer:
Yes, it is considered one divorce, and it is counted as one divorce against him, and he is held to his admission. Divorce in seriousness is serious, and divorce in jest is serious, and he has no right to play with it.
So the point is that whenever he admits to this, it is counted as one divorce against him. If he says: "I divorced her," it is counted as one divorce. Yes.

The presenter: Many people are lax regarding divorce. Do you have any guidance for them, O Shaykh?

Answer: It is not permissible, it is not permissible to be lax regarding divorce. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Therefore, it is not permissible to be lax with it, nor to play with it; because it is playing with legal rulings. So it is obligatory for the Muslim to be careful, and not to divorce except with insight, with resolve. If the need calls for divorce, there is no harm, but he should not play with it. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you and bless you.