Swearing that one's wife will be unlawful to him if she accompanies him to his workplace and later he regret

382

Q: I have told my wife that she would be unlawful for me if she accompanies me to my workplace in Al-Salil, but now I regret saying this. What should I do? May Allah grant you success.

A: If you intend by what you have said to effectuate the Talaq (divorce pronounced by a husband), a single Talaq will be effective once you break your oath, but you can take her back in marriage as long as she is still in her `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after divorce) and this is not the third time of Talaq. However, if by your oath you only intend to prevent her from accompanying you to your workplace and you do not intend Talaq, you must offer a Kaffarah (expiation) for an oath if she accompanies you, and this will not be considered Talaq. The Kaffarah in such case is feeding ten needy persons, (Part No. 20; Page No. 106) or providing them with clothing, or emancipating a believing slave. If you are unable to do any of these, you must observe Sawm (Fast) for three days. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.