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Fatwa CenterPronouncing Divorce in English by a Husband Who Speaks Arabic
Question
Salam,My husband said “I divorce you”, with no intention. He speaks Arabic, and he said those words in English believing that they are not effective for divorce. Can you please confirm that he did not divorce me?(There was no intention, and this was not a term he had ever heard anyone use to divorce as he was born in the Middle East)Jazakallahuma khair
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
We advise that your husband should directly contact a scholar or consult an Islamic center.
However, for general benefit, we say that when a husband says to his wife, “You are divorced,” this is considered an explicit statement of divorce, and thus the divorce takes effect, whether he intended it or not. The preponderant opinion is that there is no difference whether it is said in Arabic or in another language, as long as he understands the meaning of what he said.
Lastly, we emphasise that one should avoid using words of divorce in all cases.
Allah knows best.
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