“Whoever performs a deed that is not in accordance with our command will have it rejected.”

Allah Most High has said:

“Divorce is twice; then either retain her honorably or release her graciously.”

He thus made clear that the divorce Allah has prescribed for a woman with whom the marriage has been consummated—namely, revocable divorce—may occur twice. After these two divorces, there is either “retaining her honorably,” by taking her back so that she remains his wife, with one divorce remaining; or “releasing her graciously,” by letting her go when her waiting period ends. As Allah Most High has said:

“O you who believe, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them, you have no waiting period to count for them. So provide for them and release them graciously.”

Then, after that, He said:

“It is not lawful for you to take back anything you have given them, unless both fear that they cannot keep within Allah’s limits. If you fear that they cannot keep within Allah’s limits, there is no blame upon either of them concerning what she gives to secure her release.”

This is khulʿ (divorce in return for compensation). He called it “ransoming,” because the woman ransoms herself from her husband’s captivity, just as a captive or slave secures his release by paying his captor or master.

Allah Most High said:

“Then if he divorces her”—meaning the third divorce—“she is not lawful for him thereafter until she marries another husband.”

“Then if he divorces her”—meaning this second husband—“there is no blame upon either of them”—meaning her and her first husband—“if they return to one another, provided they believe that they can keep within Allah’s limits.”

Likewise, Allah Most High said:

“O Prophet, when you divorce women, divorce them at the proper time for their waiting period, and keep count of the waiting period. Fear Allah, your Lord. Do not turn them out of their homes, nor should they leave, unless they commit a manifest indecency. These are Allah’s limits. Whoever transgresses Allah’s limits has wronged himself. You do not know: perhaps Allah will bring about a new situation thereafter.”

“Then, when they approach the end of their waiting period, either retain them honorably or part with them honorably. Call two just men from among you as witnesses, and bear witness for Allah. This is an admonition for whoever believes in Allah and the Day