What is the ruling if someone says, "What Allah has made lawful for me is unlawful"?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Zihar
Primary text
If a man states, "Al-hallu 'alayya haram" (What is lawful for me is unlawful), or "Ma ahalla Allahu 'alayya haram" (What Allah made lawful for me is unlawful), or "Ma anqalibu ilayhi haram" (What I return to is unlawful), and he has a wife, he is considered to have made Zihar (a pronouncement of likening one's wife to one's mother). Ahmad stated this ruling explicitly for all three expressions because their wording implies generality, thus encompassing the wife. If he explicitly intends to forbid the wife or intends her specifically, the ruling of Zihar is stronger.
Supporting text
Ahmad stated that in the case where a person says, "What Allah made lawful for me is unlawful" concerning both his wife and his wealth, a single expiation for Zihar (which is considered an oath) suffices, according to the apparent statement of Ahmad. Ibn Aqil preferred that two expiations are obligatory: one for Zihar and one for prohibiting the wealth, because the prohibition encompassed both, and each, if stated alone, would necessitate an expiation.