What is the ruling when a man tells his two wives, 'If you speak to these two men, you are divorced,' and each wife speaks to one man?
Chapter on Explicit Divorce and Others
Al-Mughni
Book of Divorce
Primary text
There are two differing views. The first view holds that divorce occurs (they commit the breach of oath, *hanith*). This is because the speaking occurred by both of them, similar to the case where he says, 'If you menstruate, you are divorced,' and each menstruates. Similarly, if he said, 'If you ride your mounts, you are divorced,' and each rode her mount. This view suggests the condition is met if the action specified is performed by each individual spouse, even if related to a joint condition specified for both.
Supporting text
The second view, considered more apparent by the companions of Al-Shafi'i, is that divorce does not occur unless each wife speaks to both men together. This is because he tied their divorces to their collective speech to them, so one is not divorced by the speech of the other alone.