and “thrice, except once” counts as two divorces, just as “four, except two” does. If he says to four wives, “All four of you are divorced—except So-and-so,” no divorce touches her; and if he pronounces, “My wives are divorced,” while inwardly intending to spare So-and-so, the exemption is valid.

Section
(On declaring divorce for a past or future time)

The phrases “You were divorced yesterday” or “before I married you” do not take effect unless he intends them to apply immediately. Should he die, become insane, and the like before his intention is known, no divorce occurs.

“You are divorced one month before Zayd arrives”: if Zayd arrives (1) after a full month plus an interval long enough for the declaration to be uttered, the divorce takes effect (2); otherwise, it does not.

“You are divorced if you fly or ascend to the sky,” and similar impossibilities, produce no divorce, whereas the converse—“You are divorced if you do not fly or ascend to the sky,” and the like—results in an immediate divorce.

“You are divorced today if tomorrow comes” is idle speech. By contrast, “You are divorced this month” or “today” takes effect at once.

“You are divorced until a year” brings about divorce when twelve lunar months have elapsed—that is, when the year ends at the close of Dhū al-Ḥijjah.

Chapter: Conditional Divorce

If he declares, “Should I marry So-and-so,” or “Every woman I marry is divorced,” no divorce is triggered by his later marrying her.