Chapter: Factors that determine the number of divorces

A man who is wholly—or even partly—free has authority to pronounce three divorces, whereas a slave may pronounce only two, whether their respective wives are free women or bondwomen.

If he says, “You are the divorce,” or “You are divorce,” or “It is upon me,” or “It is incumbent on me,” then three divorces take effect provided he intends the triple; otherwise, only one is counted. Likewise, if he uses wording such as “all the divorce,” “the greatest amount of divorce,” “as many divorces as there are pebbles,” “as the wind,” or anything similar, three divorces are effected even if he meant only one.

Should he pronounce divorce upon a limb, an undivided share, a specific or unspecified part of her, or say, “half a divorce” or “a portion of a divorce,” the divorce is valid. The opposite is true if he directs the divorce at her soul, her tooth, or her hair—that does not count as a divorce.