Does the statement 'By God, I will not have intercourse with you for a period' constitute Ilaa based on intention?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of the Oath of Abstention (Ila')

Book 41 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If the husband states, 'By God, I will not have intercourse with you for a period,' or 'I will certainly postpone having intercourse with you for a long time,' and he intends a period exceeding four months, it constitutes Ilaa because the utterance admits of that duration, and his intention shifts the meaning to that specific term.

Supporting text

If he intended a short period, it is not Ilaa. If he intended nothing, it is not Ilaa because the term applies equally to short and long periods, thus no specific duration exceeding the limit is established.