Excerpt from: احکام و مسائل کتاب و سنت کی روشنی میں by Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani
If a man jokingly says to his wife, “I divorce you,” will such a divorce be considered valid? Kindly explain in light of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Allah, the Exalted, has established the bond between husband and wife with affection and mercy, making it a source of peace and tranquility for both. However, at times, this relationship suffers due to satanic whispers, mutual disputes, and everyday quarrels.
Sometimes, under the provocation of Shayṭān, a man issues a divorce to his wife, or, at times, people pronounce divorce in jest or theatrical manner.
In both cases, the divorce takes effect.
It is narrated from Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"ثَلاثٌ جِدُّهُنَّ جِدٌّ، وَهَزْلُهُنَّ جِدٌّ: النِّكَاحُ، وَالطَّلَاقُ، وَالرَّجْعَةُ."
"There are three matters in which seriousness is seriousness, and joking is (also) seriousness: marriage, divorce, and revocation (after divorce)."
This authentic ḥadīth clearly proves that:
A divorce issued intentionally or in jest is counted as valid.
Therefore, one must exercise extreme caution and completely avoid uttering words of divorce, whether in seriousness or in jest.
✔ The marital bond is sacred and must be treated with care.
✔ Divorce spoken in jest, anger, or drama is still valid.
✔ Such utterances should be completely avoided, even in moments of tension or playfulness.
❖ Answer:
If a man jokingly says to his wife, “I divorce you,” will such a divorce be considered valid? Kindly explain in light of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
❖ Prophetic Evidence:
Allah, the Exalted, has established the bond between husband and wife with affection and mercy, making it a source of peace and tranquility for both. However, at times, this relationship suffers due to satanic whispers, mutual disputes, and everyday quarrels.
Sometimes, under the provocation of Shayṭān, a man issues a divorce to his wife, or, at times, people pronounce divorce in jest or theatrical manner.
In both cases, the divorce takes effect.❖ Prophetic Evidence:
It is narrated from Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"ثَلاثٌ جِدُّهُنَّ جِدٌّ، وَهَزْلُهُنَّ جِدٌّ: النِّكَاحُ، وَالطَّلَاقُ، وَالرَّجْعَةُ."
"There are three matters in which seriousness is seriousness, and joking is (also) seriousness: marriage, divorce, and revocation (after divorce)."
Reference: Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭalāq, Bāb fī al-Ṭalāq ʿalā al-Hazl: 2194
Reference: Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 1184
Reference: al-Mustadrak of al-Ḥākim: 2/197–198, ḥadīth 2800
This authentic ḥadīth clearly proves that:
A divorce issued intentionally or in jest is counted as valid.Therefore, one must exercise extreme caution and completely avoid uttering words of divorce, whether in seriousness or in jest.
Conclusion:
✔ The marital bond is sacred and must be treated with care.
✔ Divorce spoken in jest, anger, or drama is still valid.
✔ Such utterances should be completely avoided, even in moments of tension or playfulness.
