Husband declaring his wife Haram for him if he talks to someone but then regrets it

Q 6: A husband said, “My wife will be Haram (forbidden) to me if I talk to so-and-so.” He now feels sorry for saying this. What should he do?

A: If by declaring his wife to be Haram for him he intended to divorce her if he talked to that person, this is considered as one pronouncement effecting Talaq (divorce pronounced by a husband) if he talked to him. He may revoke the divorce and take his wife back in marriage, as long as she is still in her ‘Iddah (woman’s prescribed waiting period after divorce or widowhood) by calling upon two just people as witnesses, unless this was the last and third irrevocable pronouncement of Talaq. If he only intended by saying that to prevent himself from talking to that person, he has to make the Kaffarah (expiation) for a broken oath if he talks to that person. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.