Q:
In a fit of temper, I told my wife that if she went to her neighbor she would be unlawful for me. She did not go there for a long period of time. However, this neighbor suffered from an illness and needed my wife to visit her. I, thus, allowed her to visit her neighbor,
provided that I would offer Kaffarah (expiation) for an oath. As far as I know, this is not considered an oath. Anyhow, I hope Your Eminence will provide me with an answer regarding the Kaffarah for this action. May Allah reward you best, guide you to serve Islam and Muslims, and show (Part No. 20; Page No. 99) you the right way.
A:
In case you have intended to divorce your wife by what you said, the Talaq (divorce pronounced by a husband) has been effective once she visited her neighbor. Nevertheless, you can take her back in marriage during the `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after divorce) as long as it is not the third Talaq. On the other hand, if you have only intended to prevent her from going to her neighbor and she went afterward, what you said is regarded as an oath and you are required to make Kaffarah for an oath, which is feeding ten needy persons, or providing them with clothing, or emancipating a believing slave. If you are not able to do any of these, you must observe Sawm (Fast) for three days. In this way, your wife will not be considered divorced. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.
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