Talaq Waswasa OCD
| Fatwa #2371 | Category: Marriage & Divorce | Country: United Kingdom | Date: 17th June 2026 |
| Fatwa #2371 | Date: 17th June 2026 |
| Category: Marriage & Divorce | |
| Country: United Kingdom | |
Question
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh, Respected Mufti Bilal Sahib,
Attached is a screenshot of a fatwa that you had previously provided to me regarding my ongoing waswasa and OCD issues. Since then, I have continued to experience these intrusive thoughts, but I have managed to let the unwanted scenarios pass without engaging with them. Following the advice of Mufti Sahib and also Respected Mufti Taahir Hansa Sahib, I took two people as witnesses and informed them of my condition. Mufti Taahir Sahib also explained that this ruling extends to involuntary utterances. I have attached his fatwa as well.
In the past, I recall an incident where I was having an intrusive thought involving a conversation between myself and my father-in-law regarding my wife coming home late (it had nothing to do with divorce). This triggered my OCD, and the divorce thought intruded into that scenario. I ignored the thought and moved on to thinking about something completely unrelated.
My concern is that whenever I keep my mouth open for longer periods, such as when coughing or breathing through my mouth due to a blocked nose, the urge to say the divorce word begins to intrude because of my anxiety and OCD. To combat this, I often say other words instead. I am now worried that during one such episode, I may have said the divorce word involantarly, unwillingly, or without even bringing it to my tongue consciously or having the actual intention or thought of saying it.
I discussed this with my therapist, who advised that this is part of my OCD, as opening my mouth has become a trigger for these intrusive fears.
I would like to know whether talaq would have taken place in such a situation, especially considering that I have already made two people witnesses to my condition and informed them accordingly.
I am currently back in therapy, as I am expecting my first child and life has become increasingly difficult and unbearable due to these ongoing OCD-related concerns.
I would be grateful for your advice and guidance.
Jazakumullahu Khairan.
Wassalam,
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
You have already appointed the two witnesses. That means any other thoughts or utterances will not have any effect. Therefore, even if the word talaq escapes your mouth, it will not occur.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Bilal Pandor
Concurred by
Mufti Nabeel Valli
Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia