Nafi’ (may Allah have mercy on him) says that once Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) gave his wife a divorce while she was in her menstrual period. Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about this issue, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered that he should take her back and wait until she has her next menstrual period and then becomes pure, and then before approaching his wife, he may divorce her. This is the method according to which Allah has permitted men to divorce their wives. It was the practice of Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that when he was asked about a person who divorces his wife during her menstrual period, he would say: Why did you not give her one or two divorces? For the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered that he should take his wife back and wait for the next menstrual period and then for her to become pure, and then before approaching her, he may divorce her. But you have given your wife three divorces; you have disobeyed the command of Allah regarding divorcing your wife, and your wife has become separated from you and you from her.