A person from Basra came to Hazrat Sa'id bin Jubair (may Allah have mercy on him) and said: "I am troubled by the thought of divorcing my wife, to the extent that I cover my mouth with my hand." Hazrat Sa'id (may Allah have mercy on him) replied: "This is not a divorce. The divorce prescribed by Allah is that which takes place during a period of purity, without intercourse, and in the presence of witnesses."
Hadith Referenceسنن سعید بن منصور / كتاب الطلاق / 2239