Q: One day at work, I said jokingly to a friend “I am divorced”. I did not have the intention to divorce at the time and I didn’t mention my wife’s name. Does what i say constitute divorce? I made ruju over the phone anyway by telling my wife “If what I said constituted divorce, I take you back”. My first question is did what I say constitute divorce and if so was the ruju over the phone valid?
A: The joke you made is not divorce or talaaq. A man cannot be ‘divorced’ , for he is the one who issues the divorce. If a divorce is issued, it is the wife who is described as being ‘divorced’. So the statement you made is meaningless and is not counted as a talaaq
And Allah knows best
Mufti Siraj Desai