yet nonetheless intended its numerical sense, one divorce takes effect—though another view holds it to be two. If he formed no intention at all, the pronouncement still counts as a single divorce; according to one opinion, however, it counts as two, provided he is versed in arithmetic.

If he says, “part of a divorce,” one divorce takes effect; the same ruling applies if he says, “two halves of a divorce,” unless he means each half to stand for an independent divorce. The sounder view is that his words “half of two divorces” amount to one divorce, whereas “three halves of a divorce,” or “half a divorce and a third of a divorce,” amount to two divorces. Should he say, “a half and a third of a divorce,” only one divorce results.

If he addresses four women, saying, “I have placed upon you—or among you—one divorce, or two divorces, or three, or four,” the stated number of divorces falls upon each of them. If, however, he intended that each divorce be apportioned among them, then when he said “two,” one divorce strikes each of two women, and when he said “three” or “four,” one divorce strikes each of three women. Should he later claim, “By ‘among you’ I meant only some of you,” that claim is not accepted in the outward ruling, according to the sounder opinion.

If, after divorcing one wife, he says to another, “I have associated you with her,” or, “You are like her,” then, should he have intended a divorce, the second wife is divorced; if not, nothing occurs. The same ruling applies if another man uses those words with respect to his own wife.

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An exception (istithnāʾ) is valid on condition that it be linked directly to the statement; a brief pause for breath or to swallow does not affect that linkage.

I add: According to the sounder view, the exception must be intended before the oath is completed, and Allah knows best; furthermore, the exception must not exhaust the whole. Thus, if he says, “You are divorced three times—except the two and the one,” only one divorce takes effect, though another view says three. If he says, “two and one—except one,” three divorces occur, although another opinion says two; this follows the rule that a negation after an affirmation is itself an affirmation, and vice-versa. Hence, if he says, “three divorces—except two—except one divorce,” two divorces take effect; or, “three divorces—except three—except two,” the outcome is likewise two divorces, though another view says three and yet another, one. If he says, “five divorces—except three,” two divorces result, while another view gives three. If he says, “three divorces—except half a divorce,” three divorces occur, according to the soundest opinion.

If he says, “You are divorced, if Allah wills and if He does not will,” and he meant thereby to make the divorce conditional, it does not take effect, and the same wording prevents the validity of a conditional divorce, manumission, or oath.