Marriage

كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ إِذْ مَرَّ بِهِ نَافِعٌ مَوْلَى ابْنِ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنْتَ الَّذِي تَزْعُمُ أَنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ وَاحِدَةً وَ هِيَ حَائِضٌ فَأَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عُمَرَ أَنْ يَأْمُرَهُ أَنْ يُرَاجِعَهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ كَذَبْتَ وَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَى ابْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَا سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عُمَرَ يَقُولُ طَلَّقْتُهَا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّه

18. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ‘Udhaynah from Zurarah who has said the following: “Once, I was with Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), when, Nafi’ Mawla’ Ibn ’Umar came to visit him (the Imam). Abu Ja’far (a.s.), asked him, ‘Are you the one who believes that ibn ‘Umar divorced his w

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا طَلَاقَ إِلَّا عَلَى السُّنَّةِ وَ لَا طَلَاقَ عَلَى السُّنَّةِ إِلَّا عَلَى طُهْرٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ وَ لَا طَلَاقَ عَلَى سُنَّةٍ وَ عَلَى طُهْرٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ إِلَّا بِبَيِّنَةٍ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا طَلَّقَ عَلَى سُنَّةٍ وَ عَلَى طُهْرٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ وَ لَمْ يُشْهِدْ لَمْ يَكُنْ طَلَاقُهُ طَلَاقاً وَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا طَلَّقَ عَلَى سُنَّةٍ وَ عَلَى طُهْرٍ مِنْ

‘Divorce, which is not according to Sunnah, is not a divorce. A divorce is not according to Sunnah if it is not pronounced in the presence of two just witnesses, in a menses-free period in which the husband has not gone to bed with her. If a man divorces his wife in a menses-free period during which he has not gone to

كُنْتُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَدَخَلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ لَمْ أُثْبِتْهُ فَسَأَلْتُ عَنْهُ فَأُخْبِرْتُ بِاسْمِهِ فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهِ أَنَا وَ غَيْرِي فَاكْتَنَفْنَاهُ‌[1] فَسَلَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ مَا تَرَى فِي رَجُلٍ سَمَّى امْرَأَةً بِعَيْنِهَا وَ قَالَ يَوْمَ يَتَزَوَّجُهَا هِيَ طَالِقٌ ثَلَاثاً ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا أَ يَصْلُحُ لَهُ‌ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا ال

“Once I was in the Masjid when Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, came in but I could not recognize him properly; so I asked about him and I was told about his name so others and I stood up for him, we surrounded him (the Imam) and offered him (the Imam) greeting of peace. A man then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep y

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَقُولُ يَوْمَ أَتَزَوَّجُ فُلَانَةَ فَهِيَ طَالِقٌ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ إِنَّهُ لَا يَكُونُ طَلَاقٌ حَتَّى يَمْلِكَ عُقْدَةَ النِّكَاحِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a man who says that on the day I will get married to so and so she is divorced. He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not have any valid effect until he has a binding marriage.’”

كَانَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا يَقُولُونَ لَا عَتَاقَ وَ لَا طَلَاقَ إِلَّا بَعْدَ مَا يَمْلِكُ الرَّجُلُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Those who were before us would say, ‘Setting free of a slave or divorce does not have any valid effect until a man has an ownership and marriage.’”

كُنْتُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَدَخَلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ لَمْ أُثْبِتْهُ وَ عَلَيْهِ عِمَامَةٌ سَوْدَاءُ قَدْ أَرْسَلَ طَرَفَيْهَا بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ لِرَجُلٍ قَرِيبِ الْمَجْلِسِ مِنِّي مَنْ هَذَا الشَّيْخُ فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ لَمْ تَسْأَلْنِي عَنْ أَحَدٍ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ غَيْرِ هَذَا الشَّيْخِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لَمْ أَرَ أَحَداً دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ أَحْسَنَ هَيْئَةً فِي عَيْنِي مِنْ هَذَا الشَّيْخِ فَلِ

“Once I was in the Masjid when Ali ibn al-Husayn, Alayhi al-Salam, came and I could not recognize him. He (the Imam) had a black turban and he had allowed both ends of the turban to hang down between his two shoulders. I then asked a man sitting near me, ‘Who is this Shaykh?’ He asked, ‘Why did you not ask me about peo

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَالَ إِنْ تَزَوَّجْتُ فُلَانَةَ فَهِيَ طَالِقٌ وَ إِنِ اشْتَرَيْتُ فُلَاناً فَهُوَ حُرٌّ وَ إِنِ اشْتَرَيْتُ هَذَا الثَّوْبَ فَهُوَ لِلْمَسَاكِينِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ لَا يُطَلِّقُ إِلَّا مَا يَمْلِكُ وَ لَا يَتَصَدَّقُ إِلَّا بِمَا يَمْلِكُ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who says, ‘If I marry so and so woman she is divorced; if I buy so and so slave, he is free and if I buy this cloth it is for the destitute. He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not have any valid effect; he cannot divorce until he is married and owns. He canno

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَالَ لِرَجُلٍ اكْتُبْ يَا فُلَانُ إِلَى امْرَأَتِي بِطَلَاقِهَا أَوِ اكْتُبْ إِلَى عَبْدِي بِعِتْقِهِ يَكُونُ ذَلِكَ طَلَاقاً أَوْ عِتْقاً فَقَالَ لَا يَكُونُ طَلَاقاً وَ لَا عِتْقاً حَتَّى يَنْطِقَ بِهِ لِسَانُهُ أَوْ يَخُطَّهُ بِيَدِهِ وَ هُوَ يُرِيدُ الطَّلَاقَ أَوِ الْعِتْقَ وَ يَكُونَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ بِالْأَهِلَّةِ وَ الشُّهُودِ وَ يَكُونَ غَائِباً عَنْ أَهْلِهِ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who says to another man, ‘O so and so write to my wife her divorce or to my slave that he is free; if it is a divorce and setting free of a slave. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not a divorce or freedom until he says by his own tongue or his own handwriting and with

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع رَجُلٌ كَتَبَ بِطَلَاقِ امْرَأَتِهِ أَوْ بِعِتْقِ غُلَامِهِ ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُ فَمَحَاهُ قَالَ لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ بِطَلَاقٍ وَ لَا عَتَاقٍ حَتَّى يَتَكَلَّمَ بِهِ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who divorces his wife in writing or sets free his slave; he then changes his mind and deletes it. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not a divorce or setting free of a slave until he pronounces it through his mouth.’”

طَلَاقُ السُّنَّةِ يُطَلِّقُهَا تَطْلِيقَةً يَعْنِي عَلَى طُهْرٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ بِشَهَادَةِ شَاهِدَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَدَعُهَا حَتَّى تَمْضِيَ أَقْرَاؤُهَا فَإِذَا مَضَتْ أَقْرَاؤُهَا فَقَدْ بَانَتْ مِنْهُ وَ هُوَ خَاطِبٌ مِنَ الْخُطَّابِ إِنْ شَاءَتْ نَكَحَتْهُ وَ إِنْ شَاءَتْ فَلَا وَ إِنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُرَاجِعَهَا[1] أَشْهَدَ عَلَى رَجْعَتِهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ تَمْضِيَ أَقْرَاؤُهَا فَتَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ عَلَى التَّطْلِيقَةِ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Divorce according to Sunnah is the divorce which one pronounces once in a menses-free period during which sexual intercourse has not taken place. It is pronounced in the presence of two witnesses and leaves her until her menses-free period is over. When this period is over she becomes str

كُلُّ طَلَاقٍ لَا يَكُونُ عَلَى السُّنَّةِ أَوْ طَلَاقٍ عَلَى الْعِدَّةِ فَلَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَسِّرْ لِي طَلَاقَ السُّنَّةِ وَ طَلَاقَ الْعِدَّةِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا طَلَاقُ السُّنَّةِ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ الرَّجُلُ أَنْ يُطَلِّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ فَلْيَنْتَظِرْ بِهَا حَتَّى تَطْمَثَ وَ تَطْهُرَ فَإِذَا خَرَجَتْ مِنْ طَمْثِهَا طَلَّقَهَا تَطْلِيقَةً مِنْ غَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ وَ يُشْهِدُ شَاهِدَي

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Divorce which is not according to Sunnah or not with waiting period does not have any valid effect.’ Zurarah has said that I then asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Please explain to me divorce according to Sunnah and divorce with waiting period.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘For divorce according to Sunn

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ أُحِبُّ لِلرَّجُلِ‌ الْفَقِيهِ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يُطَلِّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ أَنْ يُطَلِّقَهَا طَلَاقَ السُّنَّةِ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لَعَلَّ اللَّهَ يُحْدِثُ بَعْدَ ذلِكَ أَمْراً[1] يَعْنِي بَعْدَ الطَّلَاقِ وَ انْقِضَاءِ الْعِدَّةِ التَّزْوِيجَ لَهُمَا مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تَزَوَّجَ زَوْجاً غَيْرَهُ قَالَ وَ مَا أَعْدَلَهُ وَ أَوْسَعَهُ لَهُمَا ج

“I once heard Abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, ’I love for a knowledgeable man, if he intends to divorce his wife, to do so in accordance with the Sunnah.’ He (the narrator) has said that he (the Imam) then said, ’This is that about which Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, ’...perhaps Allah thereafter will cause some

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ طَلَاقِ السُّنَّةِ قَالَ طَلَاقُ السُّنَّةِ إِذَا أَرَادَ الرَّجُلُ أَنْ يُطَلِّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ يَدَعُهَا إِنْ كَانَ قَدْ دَخَلَ بِهَا حَتَّى تَحِيضَ ثُمَّ تَطْهُرَ فَإِذَا طَهُرَتْ طَلَّقَهَا وَاحِدَةً بِشَهَادَةِ شَاهِدَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَتْرُكُهَا حَتَّى تَعْتَدَّ ثَلَاثَةَ قُرُوءٍ فَإِذَا مَضَتْ ثَلَاثَةُ قُرُوءٍ فَقَدْ بَانَتْ مِنْهُ بِوَاحِدَةٍ وَ كَانَ زَوْجُهَا خَاطِباً مِنَ الْخُطَّابِ إِنْ شَاءَتْ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the divorce according to Sunnah. He (the Imam) said, ’For divorce according to Sunnah when a man wants to divorce his wife he must leave her, if he has gone to bed with her, until she experiences Hayd (menses), then becomes clean. When she becomes clean he can divorce her once

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ طَلَاقِ السُّنَّةِ كَيْفَ يُطَلِّقُ الرَّجُلُ امْرَأَتَهُ فَقَالَ يُطَلِّقُهَا فِي طُهْرٍ قَبْلَ عِدَّتِهَا[1] مِنْ غَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ بِشُهُودٍ فَإِنْ طَلَّقَهَا وَاحِدَةً ثُمَّ تَرَكَهَا حَتَّى يَخْلُوَ أَجَلُهَا فَقَدْ بَانَتْ مِنْهُ وَ هُوَ خَاطِبٌ مِنَ الْخُطَّابِ وَ إِنْ رَاجَعَهَا فَهِيَ عِنْدَهُ عَلَى تَطْلِيقَةٍ مَاضِيَةٍ وَ بَقِيَ تَطْلِيقَتَانِ فَإِنْ طَلَّقَهَا الثَّانِيَةَ وَ تَرَكَهَا حَتَّى

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the divorce according to Sunnah and how a man can divorce his wife. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must divorce her in a Hayd (menses)-free period at a time when she can commence her waiting period, in the presence of witnesses without going to bed with her. If he divorces her once t

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ بَعْدَ مَا غَشِيَهَا بِشَهَادَةِ عَدْلَيْنِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هَذَا بِطَلَاقٍ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ- كَيْفَ طَلَاقُ السُّنَّةِ فَقَالَ يُطَلِّقُهَا إِذَا طَهُرَتْ مِنْ حَيْضِهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَغْشَاهَا بِشَاهِدَيْنِ عَدْلَيْنِ كَمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ‌[1] فَإِنْ خَالَفَ ذَلِكَ رُدَّ إِلَى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فَ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who divorces his wife in the presence of two just witnesses after going to bed with her. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not a divorce,’ I then asked saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, how is divorce according to Sunnah ?’ He (the I

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا أَرَادَ الرَّجُلُ الطَّلَاقَ طَلَّقَهَا فِي قُبُلِ عِدَّتِهَا بِغَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ فَإِنَّهُ إِذَا طَلَّقَهَا وَاحِدَةً ثُمَّ تَرَكَهَا حَتَّى يَخْلُوَ أَجَلُهَا إِنْ شَاءَ أَنْ يَخْطُبَ مَعَ الْخُطَّابِ فَعَلَ فَإِنْ رَاجَعَهَا[1] قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْلُوَ أَجَلُهَا أَوْ بَعْدَهُ كَانَتْ عِنْدَهُ عَلَى تَطْلِيقَةٍ فَإِنْ طَلَّقَهَا الثَّانِيَةَ أَيْضاً فَشَاءَ أَنْ يَخْطُبَهَا مَعَ الْخُ

9. Humayd ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘If a man decides to divorce he must do so before her waiting period without sexual intercourse. If he divorces once then leaves until her waiting perio

لِامْرَأَتِهِ أَنْتِ عَلَيَّ حَرَامٌ أَوْ بَائِنَةٌ أَوْ بَتَّةٌ أَوْ بَرِيئَةٌ أَوْ خَلِيَّةٌ[3] قَالَ هَذَا كُلُّهُ لَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ إِنَّمَا الطَّلَاقُ أَنْ يَقُولَ لَهَا فِي قُبُلِ الْعِدَّةِ بَعْدَ مَا تَطْهُرُ مِنْ مَحِيضِهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يُجَامِعَهَا أَنْتِ طَالِقٌ أَوِ اعْتَدِّي يُرِيدُ بِذَلِكَ الطَّلَاقَ وَ يُشْهِدُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ رَجُلَيْنِ عَدْلَيْنِ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a man who says to his wife, ‘You are unlawful for me, you are stranger to me, you are cut off, you are free and your way is clear.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘All of such expressions do not have any valid effect in the form of divorce. Divorce is when one just before waiting

الطَّلَاقُ لِلْعِدَّةِ أَنْ يُطَلِّقَ الرَّجُلُ امْرَأَتَهُ عِنْدَ كُلِّ طُهْرٍ يُرْسِلُ إِلَيْهَا أَنِ اعْتَدِّي فَإِنَّ فُلَاناً قَدْ طَلَّقَكِ قَالَ وَ هُوَ أَمْلَكُ بِرَجْعَتِهَا مَا لَمْ تَنْقَضِ عِدَّتُهَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Divorce with waiting period is that by which a man divorces his wife whenever she is clean of Hayd (menses) and sends her a message to commence her waiting period because so and so has divorced her.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He has the authority to go back to her as long as waiting period is

يُرْسِلُ إِلَيْهَا فَيَقُولُ الرَّسُولُ اعْتَدِّي فَإِنَّ فُلَاناً قَدْ فَارَقَكِ. قَالَ ابْنُ سَمَاعَةَ وَ إِنَّمَا مَعْنَى قَوْلِ الرَّسُولِ اعْتَدِّي فَإِنَّ فُلَاناً قَدْ فَارَقَكِ يَعْنِي الطَّلَاقَ إِنَّهُ لَا يَكُونُ فُرْقَةٌ إِلَّا بِطَلَاقٍ حُمَيْدُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ عَنِ ابْنِ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ الطَّاطَرِيِّ قَالَ الَّذِي أُجْمِعَ عَلَيْهِ فِي الطَّلَاقِ أَنْ يَقُولَ أَنْتِ طَالِقٌ أَوِ اعْتَ

4. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from ibn Sama‘ah from Muhammad ibn Ziyad from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘He (the husband) can send a message to his wife saying, ‘You must commence your waiting period because so and so has departed you.’ “Ibn Sama‘ah h

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَلَّقَ‌ امْرَأَتَهُ ثَلَاثاً فِي مَجْلِسٍ وَاحِدٍ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ وَ هِيَ طَاهِرٌ قَالَ هِيَ وَاحِدَةٌ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘ Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about the case of a man who divorces his wife three times in one place and time or [more] when she is clean of Hayd (menses). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is only one.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الَّذِي يُطَلِّقُ فِي حَالِ طُهْرٍ فِي مَجْلِسٍ ثَلَاثاً قَالَ هِيَ وَاحِدَةٌ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah) (a.s.), about the case of a man who divorces his wife in a Hayd (menses)-free period in one place and time three times. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is one.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ أَصْحَابَنَا يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا طَلَّقَ امْرَأَةً مَرَّةً أَوْ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ وَاحِدَةٌ وَ قَدْ كَانَ يَبْلُغُنَا عَنْكَ وَ عَنْ آبَائِكَ ع أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يَقُولُونَ إِذَا طَلَّقَ مَرَّةً أَوْ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ وَاحِدَةٌ فَقَالَ هُوَ كَمَا بَلَغَكُمْ.

‘If one divorces his wife (at one time and place) once or one hundred times it counts only one divorce.” He (the Imam) said, ‘It is just as it is narrated to you.””

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ عَلَى طُهْرٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ وَ أَشْهَدَ الْيَوْمَ رَجُلًا ثُمَّ مَكَثَ خَمْسَةَ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ أَشْهَدَ آخَرَ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا أُمِرَ أَنْ يُشْهَدَا جَمِيعاً.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who divorces his wife in a Hayd (menses)-free period and without sexual intercourse and asks one man to bear witness on that day, then after five days asks another man to bear witness. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is commanded to arrange witnesses together.”’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَهُرَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ مِنْ حَيْضِهَا فَقَالَ فُلَانَةُ طَالِقٌ وَ قَوْمٌ يَسْمَعُونَ كَلَامَهُ وَ لَمْ يَقُلْ لَهُمُ اشْهَدُوا أَ يَقَعُ‌ الطَّلَاقُ عَلَيْهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ هِيَ شَهَادَةٌ أَ فَتُتْرَكُ مُعَلَّقَةً[1].

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a man whose wife becomes clean of Hayd (menses) and he says, ‘So and so is ‘Taliq’ (let go, divorced) and a people hears his statement but he does not say, “Bear witness”; if divorce takes place or not. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is bearing witness. Can she be le

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَتْ لَهُ امْرَأَةٌ طَهُرَتْ مِنْ حَيْضِهَا فَجَاءَ إِلَى جَمَاعَةٍ فَقَالَ فُلَانَةُ طَالِقٌ يَقَعُ عَلَيْهَا الطَّلَاقُ وَ لَمْ يَقُلْ لَهُمُ اشْهَدُوا قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man whose wife becomes clean of Hayd (menses) and he comes to a group of people and says, ‘So and so is ‘Taliq’ (let go, divorced)’ if divorce takes place or not but he has not asked them to bear witness. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, divorce takes place.’”

سُئِلَ عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَهُرَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ مِنْ حَيْضِهَا فَقَالَ فُلَانَةُ طَالِقٌ وَ قَوْمٌ يَسْمَعُونَ كَلَامَهُ وَ لَمْ يَقُلْ لَهُمُ اشْهَدُوا أَ يَقَعُ الطَّلَاقُ عَلَيْهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ هَذِهِ شَهَادَةٌ.

“Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man whose wife becomes clean of Hayd (menses) and he says this: ‘So and so is ‘Taliq’ (let go, divorced) and a people hears his statement but he does not ask them to bear witness: if divorce takes place or not, he (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, is bearing witness.’

يُشْهِدُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ وَ لَا أَرَى بِالَّذِي صَنَعَ بَأْساً.

“About the case of a man who goes back to his wife without witness, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘I like if he arranged for witness; however, what he has done is not unlawful.’ ”

يُشْهِدُ رَجُلَيْنِ إِذَا طَلَّقَ وَ إِذَا رَجَعَ فَإِنْ جَهِلَ فَغَشِيَهَا فَلْيُشْهِدِ الْآنَ عَلَى مَا صَنَعَ وَ هِيَ امْرَأَتُهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَمْ يُشْهِدْ حِينَ طَلَّقَ فَلَيْسَ طَلَاقُهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ.

‘Divorce must take place in the presence of two men as well as one’s going back to his divorced wife. If he is ignorant (of the need for witness) and goes to bed with his wife, he must also appoint witness for what has happened; she still is his wife. If he had not done (pronounced divorce) in the presence of witnesses

إِنَّ الطَّلَاقَ لَا يَكُونُ بِغَيْرِ شُهُودٍ وَ إِنَّ الرَّجْعَةَ بِغَيْرِ شُهُودٍ رَجْعَةٌ وَ لَكِنْ لَيُشْهِدُ بَعْدُ فَهُوَ أَفْضَلُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Divorce does not take place without witnesses, however, going back to one’s wife without witnesses is lawful but having witnesses for it is better.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ وَاحِدَةً ثُمَّ رَاجَعَهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ تَنْقَضِيَ عِدَّتُهَا وَ لَمْ يُشْهِدْ عَلَى رَجْعَتِهَا قَالَ هِيَ امْرَأَتُهُ مَا لَمْ تَنْقَضِ عِدَّتُهَا وَ قَدْ كَانَ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يُشْهِدَ عَلَى رَجْعَتِهَا فَإِنْ جَهِلَ ذَلِكَ فَلْيُشْهِدْ حِينَ عَلِمَ وَ لَا أَرَى بِالَّذِي صَنَعَ بَأْساً وَ إِنَّ كَثِيراً مِنَ النَّاسِ لَوْ أَرَادُوا الْبَيِّنَةَ عَلَى نِكَ

“About the case of a man who divorces his wife, abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Although it is proper to arrange for witness about one’s going back to one’s wife before the expiration of waiting period, but if one is ignorant one should arrange for witness when he comes to know. However, I do not see any harm in what he

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ وَاحِدَةً قَالَ هُوَ أَمْلَكُ بِرَجْعَتِهَا مَا لَمْ تَنْقَضِ الْعِدَّةُ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يُشْهِدْ عَلَى رَجْعَتِهَا قَالَ فَلْيُشْهِدْ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ غَفَلَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَلْيُشْهِدْ حِينَ يَذْكُرُ وَ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الشُّهُودُ لِمَكَانِ الْمِيرَاثِ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about the case of a man who divorces his wife once. He (the Imam) said, ‘He has the authority to go back to her before the expiration of waiting period.’ I then asked about if he does not arrange witnesses to his going back. He (the I

الْمُرَاجَعَةُ هِيَ الْجِمَاعُ وَ إِلَّا فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ وَاحِدَةٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Going back to one’s wife is to go to bed with her, otherwise, it is counted as one divorce.”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي رَجُلٍ يُطَلِّقُ امْرَأَتَهُ: لَهُ أَنْ يُرَاجِعَ- وَ قَالَ لَا يُطَلِّقُ التَّطْلِيقَةَ الْأُخْرَى حَتَّى يَمَسَّهَا.

“About the case of a man who divorces his wife, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He has the right to go back to his wife. Another divorce cannot take place unless he touches her (goes to bed with her).”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا طَلَّقَ الرَّجُلُ امْرَأَتَهُ وَ أَشْهَدَ شَاهِدَيْنِ عَدْلَيْنِ فِي قُبُلِ عِدَّتِهَا فَلَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يُطَلِّقَهَا حَتَّى تَنْقَضِيَ عِدَّتُهَا إِلَّا أَنْ يُرَاجِعَهَا.

“I once heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), saying, ‘If one divorces his wife in the presence of two just witnesses at a time when commencement of waiting period is possible, he then cannot divorce her before the end of waiting period unless he goes back to her.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ يُطَلِّقُ امْرَأَتَهُ فِي طُهْرٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ ثُمَّ يُرَاجِعُهَا فِي يَوْمِهِ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ يُطَلِّقُهَا تَبِينُ مِنْهُ بِثَلَاثِ تَطْلِيقَاتٍ فِي طُهْرٍ وَاحِدٍ فَقَالَ خَالَفَ السُّنَّةَ قُلْتُ فَلَيْسَ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ إِذَا هُوَ رَاجَعَهَا أَنْ يُطَلِّقَهَا إِلَّا فِي طُهْرٍ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ حَتَّى يُجَامِعَ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about the case of a man who divorces his wife in a Hayd (menses)-free period and without sexual intercourse; then goes back to her on the same day then divorces her with three divorces in one Hayd (menses)-free period. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is against Sunnah .’ I then asked, ‘Is it n

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ ادَّعَتْ عَلَى زَوْجِهَا أَنَّهُ طَلَّقَهَا تَطْلِيقَةً طَلَاقَ الْعِدَّةِ طَلَاقاً صَحِيحاً يَعْنِي عَلَى طُهْرٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ وَ أَشْهَدَ لَهَا شُهُوداً عَلَى ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ أَنْكَرَ الزَّوْجُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ إِنْكَارُهُ الطَّلَاقَ قَبْلَ انْقِضَاءِ الْعِدَّةِ فَإِنَّ إِنْكَارَهُ لِلطَّلَاقِ رَجْعَةٌ لَهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَنْكَرَ الطَّلَاقَ بَعْدَ انْقِضَاءِ الْعِدَّةِ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who claims that her husband has divorced her once in the manner of divorce which requires a waiting period. That it has taken place in the presence of witnesses in a Hayd (menses)-free period and without going to bed, but the husband denies it. He (the Imam

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَالَ لِامْرَأَتِهِ اعْتَدِّي فَقَدْ خَلَّيْتُ سَبِيلَكِ ثُمَّ أَشْهَدَ عَلَى رَجْعَتِهَا بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ بِأَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ غَابَ عَنْهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يُجَامِعَهَا حَتَّى مَضَتْ لِذَلِكَ أَشْهُرٌ بَعْدَ الْعِدَّةِ أَوْ أَكْثَرُ فَكَيْفَ تَأْمُرُهُ قَالَ إِذَا أَشْهَدَ عَلَى رَجْعَتِهِ فَهِيَ زَوْجَتُهُ.

’1‘tadV (you must commence waiting period); I have opened your way. In few days he arranges witness for his going back to her; then remains absent from her before going to bed with her until months pass from the waiting period or more. What do you command in the case?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Since he has arranged for wit

فِي رَجُلٍ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ وَ أَشْهَدَ شَاهِدَيْنِ ثُمَّ أَشْهَدَ عَلَى رَجْعَتِهَا سِرّاً مِنْهَا وَ اسْتَكْتَمَ ذَلِكَ الشُّهُودَ فَلَمْ تَعْلَمِ الْمَرْأَةُ بِالرَّجْعَةِ حَتَّى انْقَضَتْ عِدَّتُهَا قَالَ تَخَيَّرُ الْمَرْأَةُ فَإِنْ شَاءَتْ زَوْجَهَا وَ إِنْ شَاءَتْ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ وَ إِنْ تَزَوَّجَتْ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَعْلَمَ بِالرَّجْعَةِ الَّتِي أَشْهَدَ عَلَيْهَا زَوْجُهَا فَلَيْسَ لِلَّذِي طَلَّقَهَا عَلَيْهَا

“About the case of a man, who divorces his wife in the presence of two witnesses, and then arranges for witness about his going back to his wife privately without her knowledge. He asks the witnesses to keep it secret from her so she remains uninformed about his revoking the divorce until her waiting period is complete

فِي رَجُلٍ يُطَلِّقُ امْرَأَتَهُ تَطْلِيقَةً ثُمَّ يَدَعُهَا حَتَّى تَمْضِيَ ثَلَاثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ إِلَّا يَوْماً ثُمَّ يُرَاجِعُهَا فِي مَجْلِسٍ ثُمَّ يُطَلِّقُهَا ثُمَّ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فِي آخِرِ الثَّلَاثَةِ الْأَشْهُرِ أَيْضاً قَالَ فَقَالَ إِذَا أَدْخَلَ الرَّجْعَةَ اعْتَدَّتْ بِالتَّطْلِيقَةِ الْأَخِيرَةِ وَ إِذَا طَلَّقَ بِغَيْرِ رَجْعَةٍ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ طَلَاقٌ.

“About the case of a man who divorces his wife one divorce, then leaves her for three months minus one day then revokes the divorce in a session then divorces her, then at the end of the third month does so again. He (the narrator) has said that one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘ Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, h

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الطَّلَاقِ الَّذِي لَا يَحِلُّ لَهُ حَتَّى تَنْكِحَ زَوْجاً غَيْرَهُ فَقَالَ أُخْبِرُكَ بِمَا صَنَعْتُ أَنَا بِامْرَأَةٍ كَانَتْ عِنْدِي وَ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أُطَلِّقَهَا فَتَرَكْتُهَا حَتَّى إِذَا طَمِثَتْ وَ طَهُرَتْ طَلَّقْتُهَا مِنْ غَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ وَ أَشْهَدْتُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ شَاهِدَيْنِ ثُمَّ تَرَكْتُهَا حَتَّى إِذَا كَادَتْ أَنْ تَنْقَضِيَ عِدَّتُهَا رَاجَعْتُهَا وَ دَخَلْتُ بِهَا وَ تَ

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a divorce after the husband cannot marry without her being married to another man. He (the Imam) said, ‘I can inform you about the woman who was with me and I wanted to divorce her and how I did. I left her until she experienced Hayd (menses) and became clean of Hayd (

قُلْتُ لَهُ الْمَرْأَةُ الَّتِي لَا تَحِلُّ لِزَوْجِهَا حَتَّى تَنْكِحَ زَوْجاً غَيْرَهُ‌ قَالَ هِيَ الَّتِي تُطَلَّقُ ثُمَّ تُرَاجَعُ ثُمَّ تُطَلَّقُ ثُمَّ تُرَاجَعُ ثُمَّ تُطَلَّقُ فَهِيَ الَّتِي لَا تَحِلُّ لَهُ‌ حَتَّى تَنْكِحَ زَوْجاً غَيْرَهُ‌ وَ قَالَ الرَّجْعَةُ بِالْجِمَاعِ وَ إِلَّا فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ وَاحِدَةٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who cannot become lawful in marriage for her previous husband without marriage with another man. He (the Imam) said, ‘She is a woman who is divorced, then her husband goes back to her, then is divorced then he goes back to her, then is divorced. She becomes

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْمَرْأَةُ الَّتِي لَا تَحِلُّ لِزَوْجِهَا حَتَّى تَنْكِحَ زَوْجاً غَيْرَهُ‌ قَالَ هِيَ الَّتِي تُطَلَّقُ ثُمَّ تُرَاجَعُ ثُمَّ تُطَلَّقُ ثُمَّ تُرَاجَعُ ثُمَّ تُطَلَّقُ الثَّالِثَةَ فَهِيَ الَّتِي لَا تَحِلُّ لِزَوْجِهَا حَتَّى تَنْكِحَ زَوْجاً غَيْرَهُ‌ وَ يَذُوقَ عُسَيْلَتَهَا[2].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who cannot become lawful for her previous husband in marriage without marriage with another man. He (the Imam) said, ‘She is a woman who is divorced and he goes back to her, then divorces her then goes back to her, then divorces for the third time. She beco

فِي الرَّجُلِ يُطَلِّقُ امْرَأَتَهُ تَطْلِيقَةً ثُمَّ يُرَاجِعُهَا بَعْدَ انْقِضَاءِ عِدَّتِهَا فَإِذَا طَلَّقَهَا الثَّالِثَةَ لَمْ تَحِلَّ لَهُ‌ حَتَّى تَنْكِحَ زَوْجاً غَيْرَهُ‌ فَإِذَا تَزَوَّجَهَا غَيْرُهُ وَ لَمْ يَدْخُلْ بِهَا وَ طَلَّقَهَا أَوْ مَاتَ عَنْهَا لَمْ تَحِلَّ لِزَوْجِهَا الْأَوَّلِ حَتَّى يَذُوقَ الْآخَرُ عُسَيْلَتَهَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If a man divorces his wife once then goes back to her after her waiting period is complete, when he divorces her for the third time she cannot become lawful for him in marriage until she marries another man. If another man marries her then divorces her but does not go to bed with her or d

فِي الْمُطَلَّقَةِ التَّطْلِيقَةَ الثَّالِثَةَ لَا تَحِلُّ لَهُ‌ حَتَّى تَنْكِحَ زَوْجاً غَيْرَهُ‌ وَ يَذُوقَ عُسَيْلَتَهَا.

“About the case of a woman who is divorced for the third time, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’She cannot become lawful in marriage for her previous husband until she marries another man who tastes her honey (goes to bed with her).”’

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع رَجُلٌ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ الطَّلَاقَ الَّذِي لَا تَحِلُّ لَهُ‌ حَتَّى تَنْكِحَ زَوْجاً غَيْرَهُ‌ فَتَزَوَّجَهَا غُلَامٌ لَمْ يَحْتَلِمْ قَالَ لَا حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ فَكَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ مَا حَدُّ الْبُلُوغِ فَقَالَ مَا أَوْجَبَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الْحُدُودَ.

“I once wrote to al-Rida’ (a.s.), and asked, ’A man has divorced his wife as such that she cannot become lawful for him in marriage without marriage with another man; but a boy who is not mature married her. He (the Imam) replied, ‘No, until he becomes mature.’ I then wrote and asked, ‘What is the limit of maturity?’ H

فِي رَجُلٍ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ ثُمَّ لَمْ يُرَاجِعْهَا حَتَّى حَاضَتْ ثَلَاثَ حِيَضٍ ثُمَّ تَزَوَّجَهَا ثُمَّ طَلَّقَهَا فَتَرَكَهَا حَتَّى حَاضَتْ ثَلَاثَ حِيَضٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يُرَاجِعَهَا يَعْنِي يَمَسَّهَا قَالَ لَهُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا أَبَداً مَا لَمْ يُرَاجِعْ وَ يَمَسَ‌[1].

“There is a man who divorces his wife and does not go back to her until three Hayd (menses) are complete, then marries her then divorces her and leaves until three Hayd (menses) are complete and does not go back to her to touch her. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He can marry forever as long as he does not go back t

‌ فِي رَجُلٍ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ ثُمَّ لَمْ يُرَاجِعْهَا حَتَّى حَاضَتْ ثَلَاثَ حِيَضٍ ثُمَّ تَزَوَّجَهَا ثُمَّ طَلَّقَهَا فَتَرَكَهَا حَتَّى حَاضَتْ ثَلَاثَ حِيَضٍ ثُمَّ تَزَوَّجَهَا ثُمَّ طَلَّقَهَا مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يُرَاجِعَهَا ثُمَّ تَرَكَهَا حَتَّى حَاضَتْ ثَلَاثَ حِيَضٍ قَالَ لَهُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا أَبَداً مَا لَمْ يُرَاجِعْ وَ يَمَسَّ وَ كَانَ ابْنُ بُكَيْرٍ وَ أَصْحَابُهُ يَقُولُونَ هَذَا فَأَخْبَرَنِي عَبْ

“There is a man who divorces his wife, then does not go back to her until three cycles of Hayd (menses) are complete, then divorces and leaves her until three cycles of Hayd (menses) are complete then marries her then divorces without going back to her and leaves until three cycles of Hayd (menses) are complete. Abu ‘A

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ حَتَّى بَانَتْ مِنْهُ وَ انْقَضَتْ عِدَّتُهَا ثُمَّ تَزَوَّجَتْ زَوْجاً آخَرَ فَطَلَّقَهَا أَيْضاً ثُمَّ تَزَوَّجَهَا[2] زَوْجُهَا الْأَوَّلُ أَ يَهْدِمُ ذَلِكَ الطَّلَاقَ الْأَوَّلَ قَالَ نَعَمْ. قَالَ ابْنُ سَمَاعَةَ وَ كَانَ ابْنُ بُكَيْرٍ يَقُولُ الْمُطَلَّقَةُ إِذَا طَلَّقَهَا زَوْجُهَا ثُمَّ تَرَكَهَا حَتَّى تَبِينَ ثُمَّ تَزَوَّجَهَا- فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ عِنْدَهُ عَلَى طَ

3. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from Sama‘ah from Muhammad ibn Ziyad and Safwan from Rifa‘ah who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who divorces his wife and she becomes a stranger to him because of the expiration of her waiting period; then another man marr

سَأَلْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ وَاحِدَةً ثُمَّ تَرَكَهَا حَتَّى بَانَتْ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ تَزَوَّجَهَا قَالَ هِيَ مَعَهُ كَمَا كَانَتْ فِي التَّزْوِيجِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ فَإِنَّ رِوَايَةَ رِفَاعَةَ إِذَا كَانَ بَيْنَهُمَا زَوْجٌ فَقَالَ لِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ هَذَا زَوْجٌ وَ هَذَا مِمَّا رَزَقَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الرَّأْيِ وَ مَتَى مَا طَلَّقَهَا وَاحِدَةً فَبَانَتْ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ تَزَوَّجَهَا ز

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who divorces his wife and leaves until she becomes stranger to him, then marries her. He (the Imam) said, ‘She can live with him just as she did with marriage.’ I then said, ‘Hadith of Rifa‘ah says, “If there is a husband in between.’” Then ‘Abd Allah said to

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَ فِي سَفَرٍ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ الْمِصْرَ جَاءَ مَعَهُ بِشَاهِدَيْنِ فَلَمَّا اسْتَقْبَلَتْهُ امْرَأَتُهُ عَلَى الْبَابِ أَشْهَدَهُمَا عَلَى طَلَاقِهَا قَالَ لَا يَقَعُ بِهَا طَلَاقٌ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who is on a journey and when he enters the city he brings two witnesses, and when his wife comes to the door he asks them to bear witness to the divorce. He (the Imam) said, ’Divorce does not take place in this way.’”