Surah 65: At-Talaq
The Holy Qur’an with English Translation and Commentary (Five Volume Commentary)
[a]In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
[a] See 1:1.
O Prophet! when you divorce women, divorce them for the prescribed period,[b] and reckon the period; and fear Allah. Turn them not out of their houses, nor should they themselves leave unless they commit an act which is manifestly foul. And these are the limits set by Allah; and whoso transgresses the limits of Allah, he indeed wrongs his own soul.[c] Thou knowest not; it may be that thereafter Allah will bring something new to pass.[4268]
[b] 2:232-233.
[c] 2:230.
[4268] Commentary:
This is one of those verses of the Holy Qur’an in which the address made to the Holy Prophet, is, in reality, meant for the believers. Since the Holy Prophet was debarred from divorcing any of his wives (33:53), the injunction is meant clearly for his followers.
The procedure of divorce given in this Surah is as follows:
The first pronouncement of divorce should be in the interval between two monthly courses, during which the husband and wife should not have conjugal relations. This ensures that the decision to divorce has not been taken hastily in a fit of anger or under the influence of some other momentary impulse but after cool and deliberate reflection. Moreover, a divorced wife is to remain in her house till the expiry of ‘iddah (the period of waiting) which extends over three courses.
The words "it may be that thereafter Allah will bring about something new to pass," signify that the above-mentioned procedure is enjoined because it is possible that during the period of waiting the causes of friction may wear out and reconciliation may take place between the estranged parties.
Then, [a]when they are about to reach their prescribed term, keep them with kindness, or put them away with kindness, and call to witness two just persons from among you; and bear true witness for Allah. This is by which is admonished he who believes in Allah and the Last Day. And he who fears Allah—He will make for him a way out,[4269]
[a] 2:232.
[4269] Commentary:
The two witnesses referred to in the verse are to be called when the wife is about to be divorced, or when and if she is taken back by her husband. See also 2:230-234. "A way out" may mean a way out of the difficult situation in which both the wife and the husband are placed by their apparently irreconcilable differences.
And will provide for him from whence he expects not. And he who puts his trust in Allah—He is sufficient for him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His purpose. For everything has Allah appointed a measure.[4270]
[4270] Commentary:
The verse means that if differences between husband and wife are due to the poverty of the husband, God will provide for him from sources he never could imagine, provided he fears Allah and honestly wishes to tide over the difficult situation.
And if you are in doubt as to the prescribed period for such of your women as have despaired of monthly courses, then know that the prescribed period for them is three months, and the same is for such as do not have their monthly courses yet. And as for those who are with child, their period shall be until they are delivered of their burden.[a] And whoso fears Allah, He will provide facilities for him in his affair.[4271]
[a] 2:229.
[4271] Commentary:
The words "if you are in doubt" have been added because the stoppage of monthly course may be due to some disorder in the womb or to some other cause, though menopause may not yet have arrived.
That is the command of Allah which He has sent down to you. And whoso fears Allah—He will remove the evil consequences of his deeds and will enlarge his reward.[4272]
[4272] Commentary:
In the brief space of five verses the believers have been enjoined to fear God. This shows that in the matter of divorce men may be generally tempted to deal unjustly with their divorced wives and thus deprive them of their just rights. It was in the fitness of things that they should have been warned against falling a victim to this temptation.
Lodge divorced women during the prescribed period in the houses wherein you dwell, according to the best of your means; and harass them not that you may create hardships for them. And if they be with child, spend on them until they are delivered of their burden. [b]And if they give suck to the child for you, give them their due recompense, and consult together in kindness; but if you meet with difficulty from each other, then another woman shall suckle the child for him (the father).[4273]
[b] 2:234.
[4273] Important Words:
وجد کم (your best means) is derived from وجد which means, he found or he got. The three forms of the word وجد i.e. wajdun or wijdun or wujdun mean the same thing i.e. ampleness of means; capacity; riches or wealth. They say ھذا من وجدی i.e. it is within my capacity. (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
In this verse all the possible needs of a divorced woman have been adequately met. In her ‘iddah a divorced woman is to be looked after by the husband with the same care and consideration as when she was the mistress of his house, according to the best of his means, till she leaves the house and is free to adopt the way of life she chooses.
[a]Let him who has abundance spend out of his abundance. And let him whose means of subsistence are straitened spend out of what Allah has given him. Allah burdens not any soul beyond that which He has bestowed upon it. Allah will soon bring about ease after hardship.
[a] 2:234.
[b]How many a city rebelled against the command of its Lord and His Messengers, and We called it to severe account, and punished it with dire punishment![4274]
[b] 7:5-6; 17:18; 21:12; 22:46.
[4274] Commentary:
From the subject of divorce the verse makes a subtle diversion to the subject of defiance of God and His Messengers. In fact, in religious phraseology a woman is described as standing in the same relation to her husband as do the followers of a Prophet in relation to the Prophet. This comparison between the two relationships has been made quite clear in the last verse of Surah At-Tahrim, where disbelievers have been compared to the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot, and believers of different grades of righteousness and spirituality to the wife of Pharaoh, and to Mary, mother of Jesus.
So it tasted the evil consequences of its conduct, and the end of its affair was ruin.[4275]
[4275] Important Words:
وبال (evil consequences) is derived from وبل. They say وبل فلانا i.e. he beat such a one harshly and with consecutive strokes. وبلت السماء means, the rain fell in torrents. وبل الصید means, he chased the hunt. وبال means, injury, damage; harshness; vexation; sin; punishment of sin. وبیل means, dangerous, pernicious, violent (Aqrab).
Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment; so fear Allah, O ye men of understanding, who have believed. [a]Allah has indeed sent down to you a Reminder—
[a] 15:10; 36:70.
A Messenger, who recites unto you the clear Signs of Allah, that he may bring those who believe and do good deeds out of every kind of darkness into light.[b] And whoso believes in Allah and does good deeds—He will make him enter Gardens, through which rivers flow, to abide therein for ever. Allah has indeed made excellent provision for him.
[b] 2:258; 5:17; 14:6.