Sura-2 [Al-Baqara medina 87]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:
وَالْمُطَلَّقَاتُ
يَتَرَبَّصْنَ
بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ
ثَلاَثَةَ
قُرُوَءٍ...
2:228. Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods,
... وَلاَ يَحِلُّ لَهُنَّ أَن يَكْتُمْنَ مَا خَلَقَ اللّهُ فِي أَرْحَامِهِنَّ ...
nor is it lawful for them, to hide what Allah hath created in their wombs,
... إِن كُنَّ يُؤْمِنَّ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ...
if they have faith in Allah and the Last Day.
... وَبُعُولَتُهُنَّ أَحَقُّ بِرَدِّهِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ إِنْ أَرَادُواْ إِصْلاَحًا...
And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period, if they wish for reconciliation.
C254. Islam tries to maintain the married state as far as possible, especially where children are concerned, but it is against the restriction of the liberty of men and women in such vitally important matters as love and family life. It will check hasty action as far as possible and leave the door to reconciliation open at many stages.
Even after divorce a suggestion of reconciliation is made, subject to certain precautions (mentioned in the following verses) against thoughtless action. A period of waiting (iddah) for three monthly courses is prescribed, in order to see if the marriage conditionally dissolved is likely to result in issue. But this is not necessary where the divorced woman is a virgin: 33:49.
It is definitely declared that women and men shall have similar rights against each other.
... وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ...
And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable;
... وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ وَاللّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكُيمٌ ﴿٢٢٨﴾
but men have a degree (of advantage) over them and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.
C255. The difference in economic position between the sexes makes the man's rights and liabilities a little greater than the woman's.
Quran 4:34 refers to the duty of the man to maintain the woman, and to a certain difference in nature between the sexes. Subject to this, the sexes are on terms of equality in law, and in certain matters the weaker sex is entitled to special protection.
Asad’s Version:
2: 228 And the divorced women shall undergo, without remarrying, a waiting-period of three monthly courses: for it is not lawful for them to conceal what God may have created in their wombs [note 215], if they believe in God and the Last Day. And during this period their husbands are fully entitled to take them back, if they desire reconciliation; but, in accordance with justice, the rights of the wives [with regard to their husbands] are equal to the [husbands’] rights with regard to them, although men have precedence over them [in this respect] [note 216]. And God is almighty, wise.
Yusuf Ali Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods nor is it lawful for them to hide what Allah hath created in their wombs if they have faith in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period if they wish for reconciliation. And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them and Allah is Exalted in Power Wise.
Pickthall Women who are divorced shall wait, keeping themselves apart, three (monthly) courses. And it is not lawful for them that they should conceal that which Allah hath created in their wombs if they are believers in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands would do better to take them back in that case if they desire a reconciliation. And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them. Allah is Mighty, Wise.
Transliteration Wal mutallaqa_tu yatarabbasna bi anfusihinna sala_sata quru_'(in), wa la_ yahillu lahunna ay yaktumna ma_ khalaqalla_hu fi arha_mihinna in kunna yu'minna billa_hi wal yaumil a_khir(i), wa bu'u_latuhunna ahaqqu biraddihinna fi za_lika in ara_du_ isla_ha_(n), wa lahunna mislul lazi 'alaihinna bil ma'ru_f(i), wa lir rija_li'alaihinna darajah(un), walla_hu 'azizun hakim(un).
[ Asad’s note – 215 – The primary purpose of this waiting-period is the ascertainment of possible pregnancy, and …………the couple are to be give an opportunity to reconsider their decision and possibly to resume the marriage. See also 65:1 and the corresponding note2. ]
216 – A divorced wife has the right to refuse a resumption of marital relations even if the husband expresses, before the expiry of the waiting-period, his willingness to have the provisional divorce rescinded; but since it is the husband who is responsible for the maintenance of the family, the first option to rescind a provisional divorce rests with him.]
[ Ali’s notes - 253 Verses 225-27 should be read together with verse 224. The latter, though it is perfectly general, leads up to the other three. (2.227)
254 Islam tries to maintain the married state as far as possible, especially where children are concerned, but it is against the restriction of the liberty of men and women in such vitally important matters as love and family life. It will check hasty action as far as possible and leave the door to reconciliation open at many stages. Even after divorce a suggestion of reconciliation is made, subject to certain precautions (mentioned in the following verses) against thoughtless action. A period of waiting (iddat) for three monthly courses is prescribed, in order to see if the marriage conditionally dissolved is likely to result in issue. But this is not necessary where the divorced woman is a virgin: Q. xxxiii. 49. It is definitely declared that women and men shall have similar rights against each other. (2.228)
255 The difference in economic position between the sexes makes the man's rights and liabilities a little greater than the woman's Q. iv. 34 refers to the duty of the man to maintain the woman, and to a certain difference in nature between the sexes. Subject to this, the sexes are on terms of equality in law, and in certain matters the weaker sex is entitled to special protection. (2.228) ]