If I look at your wife, my wife is divorced with three talaqs

Question

Zayd said to ‘Umar: “If you look at my wife, your wife is divorced.” At that ‘Umar said: “If I look towards your wife, or cast a glance, or speak, my wife is divorced with three talaqs.” Now, in a situation where ‘Umar was standing on the road or sitting in the darkness of the road, ‘Umar’s glance fell on Zayd’s wife. Has talaq taken place or not? If it has, how many? And what is the status of swearing by talaq?

Answer

If ‘Umar did not look at Zayd’s wife intentionally, but his glance fell on her unintentionally and he immediately turned his eyes away, then no talaq has taken place on his wife. If he looked at her intentionally, then a major (mughallaza) divorce has taken place, and now it is not permissible to resume the marital relationship without halala.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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