Sura- 65 [At Talaq madina 99]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ ...

65:1.    O Prophet!

C5503. Note that in the first instance the Prophet is himself addressed individually, as the Teacher and representative of the Community. Then the actual directions: "when ye ........ : are addressed to the Community collectively.

... إِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَاء ...

when ye do divorce women,

C5504. "Of all things permitted by law, Divorce is the most hateful in the sight of Allah"; see Introduction to this Surah.

The general directions and limitations of Divorce may be studied in 2: 2:228-232, 236-237,241, and notes; also4:35.

... فَطَلِّقُوهُنَّ لِعِدَّتِهِنَّ ...

... ...

divorce them at their prescribed periods, ...

C5505. 'Iddah, as a technical term in divorce law, is explained in n. 254 to ii. 228. Its general meaning is "a prescribed period": in that general sense it is used in 2:185 for a prescribed period for fasting.

...وَأَحْصُوا الْعِدَّةَ  وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ ...

...and count (accurately) their prescribed periods: and fear Allah your Lord:

C5506. The prescribed period (see last note) is in the interests of the wife, of the husband, of an unborn child (if there is any), and of sex laws in nature, and therefore the elementary dictates of refined human society.

In English Law the six months interval between the decree nisi and the decree absolute in divorce attains the same purpose in a round-about way.

The Commentators suggest that the divorce should not be pronounced during the courses. Read with 2:222, this implies that any incipient differences between husband and wife should not be forced to an issue at a time when sex is least attractive and almost repulsive. Everything should be done to strengthen the social and spiritual aspects of marriage and keep down stray impulses of animal instinct. The parties are to think seriously in a mood of piety, keeping the fear of Allah in their minds.

... لَا تُخْرِجُوهُنَّ مِن بُيُوتِهِنَّ وَلَا يَخْرُجْنَ إِلَّا أَن يَأْتِينَ بِفَاحِشَةٍ مُّبَيِّنَةٍ ...

and turn them not out of their houses, nor shall they (themselves) leave, except in case they are guilty of some open lewdness.

C5507. As Islam treats the married woman as a full juristic personality in every sense of the term a married woman has a right, in the married state, to a house or apartment of her own. And a house or apartment implies the reasonable expenses for its upkeep and for her own and her children's maintenance. And this is obligatory not only in the married state, but during the 'iddat, which is necessarily a most trying period for the woman. During this period she must not only not be turned out, but it is not decent for her to leave of her own accord, lest the chances of reconciliation should be diminished: see the next note.

... وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ...

Those are limits set by Allah:

... وَمَن يَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ ظَلَمَ نَفْسَهُ ...

and any who transgresses the limits of Allah, does verily wrong his (own) soul:

... لَا تَدْرِي لَعَلَّ اللَّهَ يُحْدِثُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ أَمْرًا ﴿١﴾

thou knowest not if perchance Allah will bring about thereafter some new situation.

C5508. A reconciliation is possible, and is indeed recommended at every stage. The first serious difference between the parties are to be submitted to a family council on which both sides are represented (4:35); divorce is not to be pronounced when mutual physical attraction is at an ebb (n. 5506); when it is pronounced, there should be a period of probationary waiting: dower has to be paid and due provision has to be made for many things on equitable terms; every facility has to be given for reconciliation till the last moment, and impediments are provided against hasty impulses leading to rupture. "Thou knowest not if perchance Allah will bring about thereafter some new situation."

فَإِذَا بَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ فَارِقُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ ...

65:2.   Thus when they fulfil their term appointed, either take them back on equitable terms or part with them on equitable terms;

C5509. Cf. 2:231. Everything should be done fairly and squarely, and all interests should be safeguarded.

... وَأَشْهِدُوا ذَوَيْ عَدْلٍ مِّنكُمْ وَأَقِيمُوا الشَّهَادَةَ لِلَّهِ...

and take for witness two persons from among you, endued with justice, and establish the evidence (as) before Allah.

C5510. Publicity and the establishment of proper evidence ensure that no one will act unjustly or selfishly. All should remember that these are matters of serious import, affecting our most intimate lives, and therefore our position in the spiritual kingdom.

... ذَلِكُمْ يُوعَظُ بِهِ مَن كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ...

Such is the admonition given to him who believes in Allah and the Last Day.

... وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا ﴿٢﴾

And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out,

C5511. In these very delicate and difficult matters, the wisdom of jurists provides a less satisfactory solution than a sincere desire to be just and true, which is described as the "fear of Allah". Where such a desire exists, Allah often provides a solution in the most unexpected ways or from the most unexpected quarters; e.g., the worst enemies may be reconciled, or the cry or the smile of an infant baby may heal seemingly irreparable injuries or unite hearts seemingly alienated for ever. And Faith is followed at once by a psychological feeling of rest for the troubled spirit.

وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ...   

65:3.     And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine.

... وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ ...

And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him.

... إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا ﴿٣﴾

For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.

C5512. Our anger and our impatience have to be curbed. Our friends and our mates or associates may seem to us ever so weak and unreasonable, and the circumstances may be ever so disheartening; yet we must trust in Allah. How can we measure our own weakness or perhaps blindness? He knows all. His universal Purpose is always good. His Will must be accomplished, and we should wish for its accomplishment. His ordering of the universe observes a due, just, and perfect proportion.

وَاللَّائِي يَئِسْنَ مِنَ الْمَحِيضِ مِن نِّسَائِكُمْ ...   

65:4.    Such of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses,

... إِنِ ارْتَبْتُمْ فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ ثَلَاثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ وَاللَّائِي لَمْ يَحِضْنَ ...

for them the prescribed period, if ye have any doubt, is three months, and for those who have no courses (it is the same):

C5513. Cf. 2:228, For normal women, the 'iddah is the three monthly courses after separation: if there are no courses or if the courses are in doubt, it is three calendar months. But that time it will be clear whether there is pregnancy: if there is, the waiting period is still after delivery.

... وَأُوْلَاتُ الْأَحْمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَن يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ ...

for those who carry (life within their wombs), their period is until they deliver their burdens:

... وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا ﴿٤﴾

and for those who fear Allah, He will make their path easy.

C5514. Cf. n. 5511.

If there is a true and sincere desire to obey the Will of Allah and do right the difficulties will vanish, and these delicate matters will be settled for the greatest happiness of all.

ذَلِكَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ أَنزَلَهُ إِلَيْكُمْ ...

65:5.     That is the Command of Allah, which He has sent down to you:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِ وَيُعْظِمْ لَهُ أَجْرًا ﴿٥﴾

and if anyone fears Allah, He will remove his ills from him and will enlarge His reward.

C5515. Allah's ordinance is nothing arbitrary. "It is to help us, and to lead us on to our highest good, temporal and spiritual. If we obey Allah. His wisdom will not only solve our difficulties, but it will remove other ills that we may have, subjective and objective. Like a good shepherd, He will lead us on to more and more luscious pastures. With each step higher, our position becomes more and more sure and our reward more and more precious.

أَسْكِنُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ سَكَنتُم مِّن وُجْدِكُمْ وَلَا تُضَارُّوهُنَّ لِتُضَيِّقُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ ...

65:6.    Let the women live (in 'iddah) in the same style as ye live, according to your means: annoy them not, so as to restrict them.

C5516. Cf. n. 5507 above.

A selfish man, because he has divorced his wife, may, in the probationary period before the divorce becomes absolute, treat her with contumely, and while giving her residence and maintenance, may so restrict it as to make her life miserable. This is forbidden. She must be provided on the same scale as he is, according to his status in life. There is still hope of reconciliation, and if not, yet the parting must be honourable.

... وَإِن كُنَّ أُولَاتِ حَمْلٍ فَأَنفِقُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ حَتَّى يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ ...

And if they carry (life in their wombs), then spend (your substance) on them until they deliver their burden:

C5517. If there is pregnancy, a sacred third life comes on the scene, for which there is added responsibility (perhaps added hope of reconciliation) for both parents. In any case no separation is possible until after the child is born. Even after birth, if no reconciliation between parents is possible, yet for the nursing of the child and for its welfare the care of the mother remains the duty of the father, and there must be mutual counsel between him and the mother in all truth and sincerity.

... فَإِنْ أَرْضَعْنَ لَكُمْ فَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ ...

and if they suckle your (offspring), give them their recompense:

... وَأْتَمِرُوا بَيْنَكُم بِمَعْرُوفٍ ...

and take mutual counsel together, according to what is just and reasonable.

... وَإِن تَعَاسَرْتُمْ فَسَتُرْضِعُ لَهُ أُخْرَى ﴿٦﴾

And if ye find yourselves in difficulties, let another woman suckle (the child) on the (father's) behalf.

C5518. "If ye find yourselves in difficulties": e.g., if the mother's milk fails, or if her health fails, or if any circumstance arises which bars the natural course of the mother nursing her own child. There may be psychological difficulties also.

C5519. That is, the father must stand all expenses, without cutting down the reasonable allowance to which the mother is entitled.

لِيُنفِقْ ذُو سَعَةٍ مِّن سَعَتِهِ ...   

65:7.     Let the man of means spend according to his means:

... وَمَن قُدِرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقُهُ فَلْيُنفِقْ مِمَّا آتَاهُ اللَّهُ ...

and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him.

لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا مَا آتَاهَا سَيَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ بَعْدَ عُسْرٍ يُسْرًا ﴿٧﴾

Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.

C5520. We must trust in Allah, and do whatever is possible for us in the interests of the young life for which we are responsible. We must not be frightened by difficulties. Allah will give us relief and provide a solution if we act with honest integrity.

Cf. 94:5-6.

وَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ عَتَتْ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهَا وَرُسُلِهِ ...

65:8.    How many populations that insolently opposed the command of their Lord and of His messengers,

... فَحَاسَبْنَاهَا حِسَابًا شَدِيدًا وَعَذَّبْنَاهَا عَذَابًا نُّكْرًا ﴿٨﴾

did We not then call to account -- to severe account? -- and We imposed on them an exemplary Punishment.

C5522. This refers to the present life: apparently the Hereafter is implied in verse 10 below.

فَذَاقَتْ وَبَالَ أَمْرِهَا وَكَانَ عَاقِبَةُ أَمْرِهَا خُسْرًا ﴿٩﴾

65:9.    Then did they taste the evil result of their conduct, and the End of their conduct was Perdition.

Asad’s Version:

65:1 O PROPHET! When you' [intend to divorce women, divorce them with a view to the waiting period appointed for them, 2 and reckon the period [carefully], and be conscious of God, your Sustainer. Do not expel them from their homes; 3 and neither shall they [be made to] leave 4 unless they become openly guilty of immoral conduct. 5 These, then, are the bounds set by God - and he who transgresses the bounds set by God does indeed sin against himself: [for, O man, although] thou knowest it not, after that [first breach] God may well cause something new to come about. 6

65:2 And so, when they are about to reach the end of their waiting-term, either retain them in a fair manner or part with them in a fair manner. And let two persons of [known] probity from among your own community 7 witness [what you have decided]; and do yourselves bear true witness before God: 8 thus are admonished all who believe in God and the Last Day. And unto everyone who is conscious of God, He [always] grants a way out [of unhappiness],

(65:3) and provides for him in a manner beyond all expectation;' and for everyone who places his trust in God He [alone] is enough. Verily, God always attains to His purpose: [and] indeed, unto everything has God appointed its [term and] measure.

65:4 Now as for such of your women as are beyond, the age of monthly courses, as well as for such as do not have any courses, 10 their waiting-period - if you have any doubt [about it] - shall be three [calendar] months; and as for those who are with child, the end of their waiting-term shall come when they deliver their burden. And for everyone who is conscious of God, He makes it easy to obey His commandment:"

(65:5) [for] all this is God's commandment, which He has bestowed upon you from on high. And unto everyone who is conscious of God will He pardon [some of] his bad deeds, and will grant him a vast reward.

65:6 [Hence,] let the women [who are undergoing a waiting-period] live in the same manner as you live yourselves, 12 In accordance with your means; and do not harass them with a view to making their lives a misery. And if they happen to be with child, spend freely on them until they deliver their burden; and if they nurse your offspring [after the divorce has become final], give them their [due] recompense; and take counsel with one another in a fair manner [about the child's future]. And if both of you find it difficult [that the mother should nurse the child], 13 let another woman nurse it on behalf of him [who has begotten it]. 14

65:7 [In all these respects,] let him who has ample means spend in accordance with 15 his amplitude; and let him whose means of subsistence are scanty spend in accordance with what God has given him: God does not burden any human being with more than He has given him - [and it may well be that] God will grant, after hardship, ease.

65:8 AND HOW MANY a community has turned with disdain from the commandment of its

Sustainer and His apostles! 16 - whereupon We callled them all to account with an accounting severe, and caused them to suffer with a suffering unnameable:

(65:9) and thus they had to taste the evil outcome of their own doing: 17 for, [in this world,] the end of their doings was ruin,

Asad’s note:

THE WHOLE of this surah (revealed about the middle of the Medina period) is devoted to one particular aspect of the problem of divorce, namely, to ordinances relating to the waiting- period which divorced women must undergo before the marriage is finally dissolved and they are allowed to remarry - thus amplifying and elucidating verses 228-233 of Al-Baqarah.