Sharʿī Ruling on Triple Ṭalāq in One Sitting and the Validity of Rujuʿ
Question:
My brother, who is uneducated and works at a public call office (PCO), does not have much Islamic knowledge. One day, he had a serious quarrel with his wife. At that moment, in my presence, he pronounced three divorces upon her at once.
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, I had studied the issue of triple ṭalāq (ṭalāq thalāth) to some extent. Therefore, I immediately advised my brother to perform rujuʿ (reconciliation), which he did. Today, they have two children and live a happy life.
My intention was to act according to the Qur’ān and Sunnah. However, I keep wondering—since I am not a muftī—was my decision correct or not? Please guide me. Jazakum Allāhu khayran.
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd:
The advice you gave your brother was, al-ḥamdu lillāh, completely correct and valid. This is because, during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, three divorces pronounced in a single sitting were counted as only one ṭalāq.
Thus, after one ṭalāq in a single sitting, rujuʿ (returning to the marriage) is permissible during the ʿiddah period.
Further Reading:
For more detailed discussion on this matter, please refer to Fatwa no. 5248.
Conclusion:
Your reconciliation advice was in line with the practice established in the Prophet’s ﷺ era. The triple pronouncement in one sitting was treated as a single revocable divorce (ṭalāq rajʿī), and the rujuʿ was valid.
Wallāhu Aʿlam biṣ-ṣawāb
Question:
My brother, who is uneducated and works at a public call office (PCO), does not have much Islamic knowledge. One day, he had a serious quarrel with his wife. At that moment, in my presence, he pronounced three divorces upon her at once.
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, I had studied the issue of triple ṭalāq (ṭalāq thalāth) to some extent. Therefore, I immediately advised my brother to perform rujuʿ (reconciliation), which he did. Today, they have two children and live a happy life.
My intention was to act according to the Qur’ān and Sunnah. However, I keep wondering—since I am not a muftī—was my decision correct or not? Please guide me. Jazakum Allāhu khayran.
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd:
The advice you gave your brother was, al-ḥamdu lillāh, completely correct and valid. This is because, during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, three divorces pronounced in a single sitting were counted as only one ṭalāq.
Thus, after one ṭalāq in a single sitting, rujuʿ (returning to the marriage) is permissible during the ʿiddah period.
Further Reading:
For more detailed discussion on this matter, please refer to Fatwa no. 5248.
Conclusion:
Your reconciliation advice was in line with the practice established in the Prophet’s ﷺ era. The triple pronouncement in one sitting was treated as a single revocable divorce (ṭalāq rajʿī), and the rujuʿ was valid.
Wallāhu Aʿlam biṣ-ṣawāb
