Divorce Section · 15 – Doubt in Divorce
Abū Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Indeed, Allah, the Exalted, has forgiven for my community that which they say or do and which passes through their hearts.” [186]
EXPLANATION
If a thought of divorcing his wife enters a man’s heart, it holds no value. Even if a man divorces his wife in his heart, it is not valid. Because the heart's divorce signifies nothing. This is the view of Hanafi, Shafi'i, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal. (Maalim-us-Sunan, vol. 3, p. 135). Imam Malik says that divorce is effective. This opinion contradicts the meaning of the hadith.