How Many Divorces (Talaq) Occur If A Spouse Is Divorced Three Times In A Row Before Consummating The Marriage?

How many divorces (talaq) occur if a spouse is divorced three times in a row before consummating the marriage?

It is stated in the Holy Qur’an about a person’s divorcing his spouse with whom he has not had sexual intercourse yet as follows: “O You who have believed, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them, then there is not for you any waiting period to count concerning them. So provide for them and give them a gracious release” (Ahzab, 33/49). A person who divorces his wife before zifaf by repeating the sentence of “You are divorced” three times divorces her with a bain talaq (irrevocable divorce).

There are controversies about whether three talaqs are realized when one says “You are divorced with three talaqs.” The majority are of the opinion that three talaqs occur in such a case. Some scholars, on the other hand, accept three talaqs given at the same time as one divorce, whether before or after zifaf (sexual intercourse). The High Board of Religious Affairs of Türkiye also adopts this opinion.

As iddah is not required in the mentioned divorce, revoking such divorce is also not in question and this divorce is deemed one bain talaq (irevocable talaq). If spouses want they may solemnize nikah again with the remaining two divorce rights and continue their marriage (Ibn Rushd, Bidayah, II, 86, 87; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, IV, 509).

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA