possess knowledge from him that others do not, just as the closest Companions—such as the four Rightly Guided Caliphs, Ibn Masʿūd, ʿĀʾishah, Ubayy ibn Kaʿb, Muʿādh ibn Jabal, and others—possessed knowledge unavailable to those who did not enjoy the same closeness to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

The point is that many people suppose that numerous Companions, or most of them, disagreed with Ibn ʿAbbās on this issue. They do not realize that the only positions authentically established from the Companions agree with his view rather than contradict it. Even supposing that some of them disagreed with him, disputes among them must be referred back to the Quran and Sunnah.

Those holding this position argue:

“The divorce for which Allah prescribed a limit of three is revocable divorce. Every divorce mentioned in the Quran concerning a woman whose marriage has been consummated is revocable, except the third divorce.”

Thus Ahmad said, according to one of his two opinions:

“I reflected upon the Quran and found that every divorce mentioned in it is revocable.”

They argue:

“Whoever divides the divorces counted toward the three into revocable and irrevocable has contradicted the Quran and Sunnah. Rather, any dissolution involving an irrevocable separation does not count toward the three divorces. If it is called an irrevocable divorce but is not counted toward the three, this conveys a sound meaning over which there is no dispute.”

They further argue:

“If khulʿ were divorce, it would not be permissible during menstruation, for Allah has forbidden divorcing a menstruating woman. Yet our opponents, or most of them, concede that khulʿ is permissible during menstruation. Moreover, the need for it may arise during menstruation.”

They also argue:

“Allah Most High made the woman unlawful for the man after the third divorce only as a punishment for him, so that he would not divorce without need. The basic rule concerning divorce is prohibition; it is permitted only to the extent needed, and three occasions suffice to meet that need. Likewise, breaking off relations is permitted for three days, mourning a death other than that of one’s husband for three days, and an emigrant’s stay in Mecca after completing his rites for three days. The basic rule concerning breaking off relations and an emigrant’s stay in Mecca is prohibition.”