Tuesday 9 Ramadan 1445 - 19 March 2024
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He issued a threefold divorce that So and so should not work with him in the store or else he would leave

Question

I swore an oath to divorce my wife three times that one of my colleagues was not to work with me in the store; either I would leave the store or he should leave. Then eventually I left even though I am a partner with another brother in the store. I hope that you can advise me: 
1. Does divorce issued in a moment of anger, with or without the intention of divorce, count as such?
2. Does the threefold divorce count as three or as one only?
3. Is there any expiation if it is not counted as a divorce?
4. What should I do, O Shaykh? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

If a person swears to divorce his wife with the intention of divorce, then divorce takes place when the oath is broken, according to scholarly consensus. 

If that was done in a moment of anger, then it is subject to further discussion. This has been discussed in the answers to questions no. 96194 and 22034

If he swore an oath not intending divorce; rather he wanted to encourage himself or someone else to do something, or to stop himself or someone else from doing something, then this comes under the ruling on oaths and he has to offer kafaarat yameen (expiation for breaking an oath) if the oath is broken, and that does not count as a divorce. 

Secondly: 

Threefold divorce counts as one according to the more correct opinion. See the answer to question no. 96194

Based on that, if you intended divorce when you swore this oath, and your anger was not of the kind that prevents it being counted as a divorce, then you issued one divorce if you stayed in the store. But if he left the store or you left, you do not have to do anything. 

People should avoid using divorce inappropriately and adhere to the limits set by Allah, so as to protect their families from breakup. 

And Allah knows best.

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Source: Islam Q&A