If you both come onto the roof, both are divorced with three talaqs

Question

Abu Bakr’s wife is Zahida Khatun. Abu Bakr loves Zahida very much. Abu Bakr said to Zahida: “Always remember two things of mine: (1) always be regular in prayer, otherwise I will give you talaq; (2) second, my first wife is older than you in age — never quarrel with her, otherwise I will give you talaq.” Zahida Khatun became exceedingly regular in prayer and began to keep away from quarrelling and fighting. One day Zahida quarrelled with Abu Bakr’s senior wife.

Answer

By going onto the roof, talaq will take effect on them — whether they go tomorrow or after that. Had he said: “If you both come onto the roof tonight, then both of you are divorced with three talaqs,” then, had they gone after the night had passed, talaq would not have taken effect; but he did not say it this way.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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