What is the ruling if the husband and wife disagree on the number of divorces issued?
Chapter on Divorce by Calculation
Al-Mughni
Book of Divorce
Primary text
The husband's word is accepted regarding the number of divorces, based on the reasoning established above. If the wife hears the pronouncement of three divorces, or if two just male witnesses testify to it, and she denies it, it is absolutely forbidden for her to allow him access to her person. She must flee from him to the extent she is able, refuse him if he attempts intimacy, and ransom herself from him if she has the means. It is obligatory for her to immediately separate from him and treat him as a non-mahram stranger.
Supporting text
Some scholars hold that she must flee and ransom herself using whatever means possible. Others maintain that she must simply flee. Malik stated that she must not beautify herself for him, nor reveal any part of her nakedness to him, and any sexual contact must only occur if she is coerced. Another view suggests he should be made to swear an oath, and the sin will rest upon him, but the correct position is that she must refuse and flee, as she is definitively unlawful (*muharrimah*) for him, similar to any other unrelated woman.