Husband swearing to divorce his wife twice after having a quarrel

Q: Two years ago, I quarreled with my wife for no reason except that she was angry and frowning all the day. She did not reply when I inquired about the reason for her anger. The quarrel intensified and I slapped her face. My mother heard us fighting and she made me more nervous. I swore two or three times that I would divorce her. (Part No. 20; Page No. 223) I really meant what I was saying, as I was crying because I felt disappointed for not choosing a righteous wife. I had been engaged to a girl for a year but the engagement was not successful because of some minor disagreements. Two days after this quarrel with my wife, everything was back to normal and she did not leave the house, all praise be to Allah. I have not divorced her and we have one and half year old son and she is pregnant. I am a Multazim (practicing Muslim) person and I perform all the obligatory acts. What is the ruling on my oath, because I am very worried?

A: If the reality is as you mentioned, no Talaq (divorce pronounced by a husband) has taken place but you must pay Kaffarah (expiation) for the oath of divorcing your wife. This Kaffarah is to feed ten Miskins (needy persons), or provide them with clothing, or emancipate a believing slave. If you are unable to do any of these, you must observe Sawm (Fast) for three days. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.