Swearing to divorce one's wife but not doing it

Q: I am an Egyptian working in Al-Ta'if. I argued with my wife who is in Egypt over the phone. When (Part No. 20; Page No. 219) I returned home, I told my brother about what had happened between me and my wife on the phone. Then I said, "By Allah I will go to the Embassy in Jeddah and divorce her." At that time I was so angry, in addition to my suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. I did not intend to divorce her but it was all due to my anger and the argument we had. Later, when I calmed down, I did not go to Jeddah. Is my broken oath considered a divorce? Please, advise.

A: If the reality is as you mentioned, your wife is not divorced by the words you said. Rather, you should make Kaffarah (expiation) for breaking your oath because you made an oath to go to the embassy to divorce your wife but you did not go. The Kaffarah for a broken oath is feeding ten needy people each a half of a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) of wheat, rice or the like, or clothe them, or free a Muslim slave. If you cannot afford to do so, you have to fast three days for breaking your oath. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Anyone who takes an oath, and finds something better than it, should do that which is better and expiate for (breaking) the oath." May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.