Three Divorces issued in Anger

Question: A man divorced his wife thrice in anger in the presence of her two adult daughters from a previous marriage. Two ladies living in the adjacent house also heard him. In reply, the wife said that the water of his house is henceforth Haraam for her. Is the divorce effective?

Answer: If the husband did divorce the wife thrice, there is no need for any witnesses. The divorce remains effective notwithstanding the presence of witnesses. Witnesses will be necessary only if the husband denies issuing the divorces. In such a case, two men or two women as well as a man will be needed to prove that he did utter the statement. The testimony of women only will not be valid.

In this case where the woman heard the divorces in the presence of the others, she should regard herself as a divorced woman and it will be Haraam for her to then live with him as a wife. If she does so, she will be sinful. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3