What is the grade of this narration?
Three matters done in seriousness are serious and their being done jokingly are serious; marriage, divorce and taking back a wife.
Answer
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
There are three things which, whether undertaken seriously or in jest, are treated as serious; Marriage, divorce and taking back a wife (after a revocable divorce)
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1184, Sunan Abi Dawud: Hadith: 2194 and Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 2039)
Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has classified the above Hadith as sound (hasan).
Note: Some versions of this narration mention ‘freeing a slave’ in place of taking back a wife after a revocable divorce.
(Refer: Nasbur Rayah, vol. 3 pg. 293/294)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar