Husband telling his wife that she is unlawful for him starting from that day

Q: A woman began to neglect Salah (Prayer), so her husband got angry and said, "She is unlawful for me starting from this day." What are the consequences of this?

A: Saying to his wife "You are unlawful to me" is considered Zhihar (a man likening his wife to an unmarriageable relative). If he wants to return to her, he must pay the Kaffarah (expiation) for Zhihar, which is emancipating a slave. If he cannot do it, he must observe Sawm (fasting) for two consecutive months. If he cannot do it, he must feed sixty needy people, half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) of food each, whether dates or anything else, before having intercourse with her, according to Allah's saying, Those among you who make their wives unlawful to them by (Zihâr; i.e. by saying to them "You are like my mother’s back,") they cannot be their mothers. None can be their mothers except those who gave them birth. And verily, they utter an ill word and a lie. And verily, Allâh is Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving. And those who make unlawful to them their wives by Zihâr and wish to free themselves from what they uttered, (the penalty) in that case is the freeing of a slave before they touch each other. That is an admonition to you (so that you may not repeat such an ill thing). And Allâh is All-Aware of what you do. And he who finds not (the money for freeing a slave) must fast two successive months before they both touch each other. And he who is unable to do so, should feed sixty Miskîns (poor). That is in order that you may have perfect Faith in Allâh and His Messenger. These are the limits set by Allâh. (Part No. 20; Page No. 283) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.