Islam Question and Answer - He said to his wife: You will be haraam for me if you do such and such

He said to his wife: You will be haraam for me if you do such and such

I had an argument with my wife about the receiver (satellite dish) and I said some words that I did not mean, and I did not know the ruling, and I was extremely angry. What I said was: “You will be haraam for me if you use it again.” I was in a state of anger and I broke the receiver, and until now I have not repaired it. What is the ruling? Can I set up the equipment again?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

In the answer to question no.
81984 we have explained the ruling
on one who declares his wife to be haraam for him and that if he intended
thereby divorce, zihaar or an oath, then the matter is as he intended, but
if he did not intend anything then he must offer the expiation for breaking
a vow (kafaarat yameen). 

Since you say that you did not intend anything and you did
not know the ruling, then you have to offer the expiation for breaking a
vow, if your wife used the receiver, but if she did not use it, then you do
not have to do anything.   

Secondly: 

With regard to your question: Can I set up the equipment
again? 

If you are going to set it up to use it for beneficial
purposes such as watching Islamic programs and lectures, etc., there is
nothing wrong with you setting it up, but you have to offer the expiation
for breaking a vow, as stated above. 

But if you are going to set it up to use it for watching
movies and immoral programs etc., this is undoubtedly haraam, and it poses a
danger to you and your wife and children. 

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A