What is the validity of the Hadith concerning Rukana who divorced his wife 'Al-Battah'?
Chapter on Explicit Divorce and Others
Al-Mughni
Book of Divorce
Primary text
The ruling that the utterance results in three divorces is maintained despite the Hadith of Rukana, who stated he only intended one divorce and the Prophet (peace be upon him) accepted it and returned his wife. This is because Ahmad explicitly weakened the chain of narration (isnad) for this Hadith, therefore it is disregarded.
Supporting text
The Prophet's statement to the daughter of Jawn, 'Join your family,' is interpreted as not necessitating three divorces, and thus this specific utterance is not classified among those terms which the Companions ruled as three divorces.