When divorce takes effect if stated in writing beginning with 'Afterwards' (Amma ba'du).

Chapter on Explicit Divorce and Others

Al-Mughni

Book of Divorce

Book 39 · Issue 4 · Bab 2

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a man writes to his wife stating, 'Afterwards (Amma ba'du), you are divorced,' the divorce occurs immediately upon his writing, irrespective of whether the letter reached her or not. Her waiting period begins from the moment he wrote it.