Divorce — Its Rulings and Restrictions
fiqh
Level: intermediate
talaq
fqh-010
ٱلطَّلَٰقُ مَرَّتَانِ ۖ فَإِمۡسَاكُۢ بِمَعۡرُوفٍ أَوۡ تَسۡرِيحُۢ بِإِحۡسَٰنٍ
— البقرة 229
Verse: "Divorce is twice — then either retain in kindness or release with goodness." (2:229)
Types: Revocable (first and second — husband may return during waiting period); Minor irrevocable (third — she cannot return without marrying another first); Sunnah divorce (in purity without intercourse — recommended); Bid'a divorce (during menstruation — forbidden but effective).
Waiting period (idda): Three periods for the consummated marriage.
Wisdom: "Perhaps Allah will bring about after that some matter" — review period before finality.
Source: Al-Qurtubi (3/131); Ibn Al-Arabi (1/183); Ibn Qudama (7/260)
Question: How many revocable divorces does a husband have before major irrevocable separation?
Answer: Twice — the first and second are revocable. The third is major irrevocable separation; she cannot return without a valid completed marriage to another.