What is the ruling if the husband says, 'The utmost divorce' (أقصى الطلاق) or 'The greatest divorce' (أكبره) without intent?

Chapter on Divorce by Calculation

Al-Mughni

Book of Divorce

Book 39 · Issue 3 · Bab 3

Open in Qurani

Primary text

According to the strict rule (قياس المذهب), the ruling follows the preceding severe expressions, implying one revocable divorce. However, it is also held that 'the utmost divorce' implies the third divorce, as the third is the ultimate limit (آخر), which necessitates the occurrence of two preceding divorces.