Repeating the words of divorce twice and doubting saying it again

Q: A man had a dispute with his wife and he became so angry that he told her, "You are divorced, then you are divorced." He is sure that he pronounced it at least two times, but he is not certain if he had said a third time or more. Nevertheless, the man took back his wife immediately and is asking about the validity of what he did.

A: If the reality is as mentioned, that the man divorced his wife twice saying, "You are divorced", that he was not sure of saying anything more, if he has not divorced her before, and this divorce was not in return for a consideration, it would be a revocable divorce. The husband has the right to take back his wife as long as she has not completed her `Iddah (woman's prescribed waiting period after divorce). Any pronouncement of divorce more than the first two is doubtful and the basic rule is to overlook it. So, the wife can return to her husband with one time of divorce left for him. In addition, if two witnesses attest that the husband has taken back his wife before she has completed her `Iddah, the revocation is valid. (Part No. 20; Page No. 238) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.