What is the ruling when a husband says to his wife, 'You are divorced the fullness of the world' (أنت طالق ملء الدنيا) without specifying the number?
Chapter on Divorce by Calculation
Al-Mughni
Book of Divorce
Primary text
If the husband intends three divorces, three divorces occur. If he intends one divorce or has no specific intention, only one divorce occurs. Imam Ahmad affirmed that if the intent was for severity (غلظة) aiming for separation, it counts as three, implying that absent specific intent, it defaults to one. This default single divorce is revocable (رجعية) because it is a divorce upon a previously consummated wife without exhausting the count or an exchange (like Khul'). This view is held by Imam Shafi'i.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa and his school hold that it results in a definitive, non-revocable divorce (بائن) because appending an excessive quality implies the intention for a consequence that necessitates finality (Baynunah).