Ruling 2516 — Divorce

A man who divorces his wife must be of the age of legal responsibility (bāligh) and sane (ʿāqil). If a ten-year-old child divorces his wife, then observing precaution (iḥtiyāṭ) in this case must not be abandoned. A man must also divorce his wife of his own volition (ikhtiyār); if he is compelled to divorce his wife, the divorce is invalid (bāṭil). Furthermore, he must have an intention (qaṣd) to divorce his wife; therefore, if, for example, a person says the divorce formula (ṣīghah) jokingly or while intoxicated, it is not valid.