Tafsir of Ibn 'Umar's Statement on Triple Divorce

This narration from Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) addresses the grave matter of pronouncing three divorces simultaneously. The Companion's response reflects the Prophetic guidance that divorce should be given in separate pronouncements during periods of purity when no intercourse has occurred.

The Wisdom Behind Gradual Divorce

The Prophet's instruction to give divorces separately allows for reflection and potential reconciliation. A single revocable divorce permits the husband to take back his wife during her waiting period without requiring a new marriage contract.

Islamic law recognizes the emotional weight of divorce and provides mechanisms for reconsideration, preserving family unity where possible while respecting the seriousness of the divorce pronouncement.

Consequence of Triple Divorce

When three divorces are pronounced together or separately, the marriage is irrevocably terminated. The woman becomes unlawful for her former husband until she marries another man in a valid marriage, consummates it, and then becomes divorced or widowed.

This ruling, based on Quranic guidance (Surah al-Baqarah 2:229-230), serves as a deterrent against hasty divorces and maintains the sanctity of marital bonds.

Scholarly Context

Classical scholars like Imam Malik, al-Shafi'i, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal affirmed that three divorces pronounced together count as three, making the wife immediately unlawful. This position reflects the literal understanding of the Prophetic tradition and maintains the gravity of divorce pronouncements.

Ibn 'Umar's lamentation "Would that you gave one or two" emphasizes the preference for following the Sunnah method while acknowledging the binding nature of what has been uttered.