So long as she is still within her waiting-period, he may revoke the divorce; once he has exhausted all three pronouncements, however, he has closed the door of return.

A bidʿī (innovative) divorce is one carried out in a forbidden manner: by issuing three divorces in a single statement; by divorcing her while she is menstruating or in post-partum bleeding; or by divorcing her during a period of purity after having had intercourse with her when pregnancy has not yet become apparent. The first is called “innovative in number,” whereas the second and third together are “innovative in timing.”

An innovative divorce in number makes her unlawful for him until she marries another husband, as Allah says: “If he divorces her”—meaning the third time—“she is not lawful for him afterward until she has married another husband” (Q 2:230).

With an innovative divorce in timing it is recommended that he revoke it. Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both) divorced his wife while she was menstruating, and the Prophet ﷺ ordered him to take her back; the report is related by all the major compilers. If he does take her back, he must keep her until she becomes pure; thereafter, if he wishes, he may divorce her.

Accordingly, it is unlawful for a husband to pronounce a triple divorce—whether the innovation lies in number or in timing. Allah the Exalted says, “Divorce is twice; then, either retain [her] in a fair manner or release [her] with kindness” (Q 2:229), and He says, “O Prophet, when you divorce women, divorce them for the commencement of their waiting-period” (Q 65:1), that is, while they are in a state of purity in which no intercourse has taken place.