Surah 65. At-Talaq

1.

O Prophet! 'Instruct the believers:' When you 'intend to' divorce women, then divorce them with concern for their waiting period,¹ and count it accurately. And fear Allah, your Lord. Do not force them out of their homes, nor should they leave- unless they commit a blatant misconduct. These are the limits set by Allah. And whoever transgresses Allah's limits has truly wronged his own soul. You never know, perhaps Allah will bring about a change 'of heart' later.²

 Meaning, when a husband intends to divorce his wife—after the consummation of marriage—he should divorce her outside her monthly cycle, provided that he has not touched her after her period. This makes it easy for the wife to observe her ’iddah (waiting period for around three months, see 65:4). Otherwise, things will be complicated for her. For example, if divorce happens after sexual intercourse, she might get pregnant, which delays the end of ’iddah until the end of her pregnancy. If divorce happens during a monthly cycle, scholars are in disagreement as to whether the divorce counts or not. If it does not, she has to wait until her menstruation is over to see if her husband still wants to divorce her.

 Perhaps the husband who has divorced his wife may change his mind and restore the marriage before the end of her waiting period (after the first or second count of revocable divorce).

2.

Then when they have 'almost' reached the end of their waiting period, either retain them honourably or separate from them honourably.¹ And call two of your reliable men to witness 'either way'- and 'let the witnesses' bear true testimony for 'the sake of' Allah. This is enjoined on whoever has faith in Allah and the Last Day. And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them,

 A husband may separate from his wife after each of the first two counts of divorce or at the end of her waiting period with dignity. If he chooses to stay with her after the first two counts of divorce then divorces her a third time, the marriage is terminated at the end of her third waiting period. The wife will have to marry and divorce another man before she can be remarried to her ex-husband (see 2:230). However, a woman marrying someone with the intention of getting divorced, in order to return to her first husband, is forbidden.

3.

and provide for them from sources they could never imagine. And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He 'alone' is sufficient for them. Certainly Allah achieves His Will. Allah has already set a destiny for everything.

4.

As for your women past the age of menstruation, in case you do not know, their waiting period is three months, and those who have not menstruated as well. As for those who are pregnant, their waiting period ends with delivery.¹ And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make their matters easy for them.

 This applies to pregnant women who are divorced or widowed.

5.

This is the commandment of Allah, which He has revealed to you. And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will absolve them of their sins and reward them immensely.

6.

Let them live where you live 'during their waiting period', according to your means. And do not harass them to make their stay unbearable. If they are pregnant, then maintain them until they deliver. And if they nurse your child,¹ compensate them, and consult together courteously. But if you fail to reach an agreement, then another woman will nurse 'the child' for the father.

 After the divorce is finalized.

7.

Let the man of wealth provide according to his means. As for the one with limited resources, let him provide according to whatever Allah has given him. Allah does not require of any soul beyond what He has given it. After hardship, Allah will bring about ease.

8.

'Imagine' how many societies rebelled against the commandments of their Lord and His messengers, so We called each 'society' to a severe account and subjected them to a horrible punishment.

9.

So they tasted the evil consequences of their doings, and the outcome of their doings was 'total' loss.

10.

Allah has 'also' prepared for them a severe punishment. So fear Allah, O people of reason and faith. Allah has indeed revealed to you a Reminder,¹

 This is one of the names of the Quran.

11.

'and sent' a messenger reciting to you Allah's revelations, making things clear so that He may bring those who believe and do good out of darkness and into light. And whoever believes in Allah and does good will be admitted by Him into Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there for ever and ever. Allah will have indeed granted them an excellent provision.

12.

Allah is the One Who created seven heavens 'in layers', and likewise for the earth. The 'divine' command descends between them so you may know that Allah is Most Capable of everything and that Allah certainly encompasses all things in 'His' knowledge.