What is the ruling when a husband says, 'You are divorced three times except one and a half divorces'?

Chapter on Explicit Divorce and Others

Al-Mughni

Book of Divorce

Book 39 · Issue 3 · Bab 2

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Two interpretations exist for this pronouncement. The primary view suggests the exception is nullified because the half completes the count, making it an exception of the majority, thus rendering it void. The second view permits the exception for one divorce, resulting in two divorces, consistent with the ruling established in the preceding case.