Having someone utter talaq words in Arabic whose meaning he does not know

Question

A person made some man utter these words: [ar]اطلق زوجي طلقاً واحداً أو ثانياً أو ثالثاً[/ar] “I divorce my wife with one, or a second, or a third divorce.” But he did not know the meaning of these words. Then the meaning was explained to him, and then he said these words, while he had no intention of giving talaq. Will talaq take effect in this case?

Answer

If that person does not know the translation of these words but knows that talaq is given by these words, then in this case talaq will take effect. And when the meaning, too, was explained to him and he, knowingly and understanding it, then said these words, what doubt can there be now about talaq taking effect? There is no need for intention.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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