Is the concept of a husband's right to revoke a divorce (Raj'a) established?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Reconciliation (Return During 'Iddah)

Book 40 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The right to revocable divorce is firmly established by the Book (Quran), the Sunnah, and scholarly consensus (Ijma'). Evidence from the Quran includes the verses concerning divorced women observing their waiting period (Iddah) and stating that their husbands have the right to take them back in that period if they desire reconciliation (Quran 2:228), and the command to retain wives honorably upon reaching the end of their term (Quran 2:231). Evidence from the Sunnah includes the narration where Ibn 'Umar reported divorcing his wife while she was menstruating, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed him to take her back. Furthermore, Abu Dawud narrated that 'Umar reported the Prophet (peace be upon him) divorced and then took back Hafsa. Consensus among scholars holds that a free man has the right of revocable divorce during the Iddah if the divorce is less than three, and a slave has the right if the divorce is less than two.