Talaq by the Words “Talaq Is Accepted”

Question

Question: Zayd’s mother-in-law, for some reason, asked Zayd for talaq for her daughter Hinda. Zayd said in reply to her: “Talaq is accepted by me”. Now, after three months and some days, Zayd goes to his in-laws and takes her back (muraja‘a). Will this taking back now be accepted or not?

Answer

If Zayd has accepted the talaq and the ‘idda has not yet passed, then he has the right of taking back (raj‘a); after the ‘idda has passed, the right of taking back will not remain, and with the consent of both parties a renewed nikah will be valid. The ‘idda is three menstruations (hayd); if she is pregnant, it is the delivery.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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