What is the ruling when a husband says, 'You are divorced three times except one divorce and one divorce and one divorce'?
Chapter on Explicit Divorce and Others
Al-Mughni
Book of Divorce
Primary text
There are two interpretations. The primary view holds that the exception is nullified, resulting in three divorces. This occurs because the conjunction necessitates the attached clause to share the status of the main clause, effectively making the phrase an exception of three from three. This view is held by followers of Al-Shafi'i and the opinion of Abu Hanifa.
Supporting text
The second interpretation maintains that the exception of one divorce is valid, as excepting the minimum is permissible. The exception of the second and third instance is invalid, thus only the first exception is nullified. Abu Yusuf and Muhammad stated that excepting two divorces is valid, and the exception for the third is nullified, based on their principle that excepting the majority is permissible.