Saying: 'Yes, she is divorced' as one pronouncement of divorce

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Q: I was asked: "Did you divorce your wife?'' I said: "Yes, she is divorced", as I was extremely angry. Then I revoked the divorce on the same day in the presence of my wife and two male witnesses. What is the ruling on this?

A: Your reply by "Yes" to the person who asked you whether you divorced your wife or not is counted as a valid divorce. If this divorce is not the third one, the revocation thereof is valid. However, if the divorce you mentioned in the question is the third one you gave; it is impermissible for you to marry the concerned lady unless she is married first to another man a Shar`y (Islamic legal) marriage, which is not meant to make Tahlil (a marriage contracted for the sole purpose of legalizing remarriage between an irrevocably divorced couple). After that you may marry her by the conclusion of a new contract and the payment of a new Mahr (mandatory gift to a bride from her groom) subject to her consent. (Part No. 20; Page No. 19) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.