What is the requirement for the *Fā'* (consequence marker) when the consequence of a conditional divorce precedes the condition?
Chapter on Explicit Divorce and Others
Al-Mughni
Book of Divorce
Primary text
If the consequence precedes the condition (e.g., 'You are divorced if you enter the house'), no conjunction is needed. If the consequence follows the condition (e.g., 'If you enter the house, then you are divorced'), the conjunction *Fā'* is required if the consequence is a nominal sentence (subject and predicate) to link the consequence to the condition and indicate immediate succession. If the *Fā'* is omitted ('If you enter the house you are divorced'), the divorce does not take place unless the husband intends immediate pronouncement.
Supporting text
The correct interpretation is that the use of the conditional particle implies the intent of the condition, and the omission of *Fā'* should be understood as an implied consequence marker or an inversion of word order, as the statement of a rational person must be interpreted to be meaningful and valid. If the husband states he intended immediate pronouncement, it is accepted as he is confirming a stricter position against himself.