What is the ruling regarding the wife's status after a valid recall?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Divorce
Primary text
If the husband recalls his wife, he is obligated to retain her until she purifies (becomes free of menses). It is recommended to retain her until she menstruates another cycle and then purifies again, based on the command given by the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the Hadith of Ibn Umar.
Supporting text
Scholars cite several reasons for the recommendation to wait until the second purification: the validity of the recall is best known through intercourse, which must occur in a state of purity; this second period of purity mirrors the state where divorce was disliked due to being in menses (which prolongs the Iddah), intending to stop the ruling effect of divorce through intercourse, thus establishing purity as the appropriate moment for subsequent action (divorce or retention).