Talaaq issued in writing

In principle, Talaaq is something issued verbally. But it can also be given in written form. There are many ways to issue Talaaq in writing. Firstly, it can be written in the form of a letter which is addressed to the person concerned. In this case, Talaaq is valid even if he wrote it without the intention of Talaaq. If he has written, "I have given you Talaaq", then as soon as he wrote that, Talaaq takes place. It is not necessary for his wife to receive this letter also. And her Iddat will start as soon as he has written it. However, if he has written "when you receive this letter, your Talaaq will take effect", then the woman should receive this letter for her Talaaq to be valid.

In the case where he wrote it in an informal manner, that is, he did not address it to the concerned person or he wrote it on the board, on the wall, on a tree or on the sand with a readable and understanding handwriting, then Talaaq will take place if it was explicitly written with the intention of Talaaq. 

Beware!

Be wary if you are still living with your spouse after 3 Talaaq. Do you know that this is called living in Zina? You are very well acquainted that this is not right and that those who advised one to continue living are deviated. But if in spite of that, you continue to live together, it will only be for a small ephemeral advantage in this Dunya. Don't you see that you are in error? You are harming your Aakhirah for a little pleasure in the Dunya. The grandson of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), Hazrat Imam Hassan (Radiyallahu Anhu), had given his wife three Talaaq, all at once. Afterwards, he had regretted a lot and he had said: "If I had not heard my maternal grandfather say that it is not allowed to return to a woman after having given her three Talaaq, I would had taken back my wife."

[English version of "Talaaq en écrit" – Al Jamiat – Vol.5 No.12]