Overview - Surah 65: at-Talaq (The Divorce )
This is a Madani Surah and like the following Surah, al-Tahrim, its speak about family rules. The spouses should follow Allah’s rules whether they have disagreement with each other or they love each other. In this Surah the proper rules of divorce are given. Do not just say the words of divorce and separate yourself from your wives, but give them their rights. It also reminds the Believers to obey Allah and His Messenger. Those who disobey Allah are warned the consequences of their disobedience.
The Surah takes its name from the first Ayat, يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَطَلِّقُوهُنَّ لِعِدَّتِهِنَّ وَأَحْصُوا الْعِدَّةَ "O Prophet, when you [Muslims] divorce women, divorce them for [the commencement of] their waiting period and keep count of the waiting period...." [65:1].
There are 12 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
Total Ayat | 12 |
Total Words * | 287 |
Root Words * | 102 |
Unique Root Words * | 0 |
Makki / Madani | Madani |
Chronological Order* | 99th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
Year of Revelation* | 17th year of Prophethood (4th Year Hijri) |
Events during/before this Surah*
, Battle of Uhud, Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr, Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah, , 2nd Pledge of Aqabah, 1st Pledge of Aqabah, Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1, 2nd Migration to Abyssinia, Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia, Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda., Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
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Events during/after still to occur*
Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
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Names of Prophets Mentioned
No Prophets names are mentioned in this Surah
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Surah Index
Children, Divorce, Divorce (after waiting period) , Divorce (after waiting period) (two witnesses), Divorce (find wet-nurse if necessary) , Divorce (Man) (don’t harass wife), Divorce (Man) (during her pregnancy), Divorce (Man) (during her waiting period), Divorce (Man) (if she’s nursing your child), Divorce (Woman) (entitled to maintenance), Divorce (Woman) (not to be expelled from their homes), Divorce (Woman) (three month wait for those free of menstruation), Earth (creation and recreation of) , Heaven (several) , Resurrection (of soul)
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Theme 1: Taqwa of Allah is the cause for sound family life and a strong Ummah.
The Surah discusses issues pertaining to Talaq [divorce].
The Surah starts and ends with the instruction to have Taqwah of Allah.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَطَلِّقُوهُنَّ لِعِدَّتِهِنَّ وَأَحْصُوا الْعِدَّةَ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ رَبَّكُمْ "O Prophet, when you [Muslims] divorce women, divorce them for [the commencement of] their waiting period and keep count of the waiting period, and fear Allah, your Lord....." (65:1)
أَعَدَّ اللَّـهُ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا ۖ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۚ قَدْ أَنزَلَ اللَّـهُ إِلَيْكُمْ ذِكْرًا "Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment; so fear Allah, O you of understanding who have believed. Allah has sent down to you the Qur'an" (65:10)
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
1743 CE
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
- Surah at- Talaq [65] instructs that the limits of Allah must be observed even if one dislikes his wife and in Surah at-Tahreem [66] we have been guided to observe the limits set by Allah despite ones love for his wife.
- Surah at-Talaq [65] mentions in the first Ayat, if the Prophet was to divorce. In Surah at-Tahrim, we have the Ayat, "Perhaps his Lord, if he divorced you [all], would substitute for him wives better than you..." [66:5].
- Taqwa is a key term used in this Surah. This is a very important trait to have - those experiencing marital problems or divorce must endevour to have Taqwa.
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّـهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا "And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease." [65:4]
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّـهَ يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِ وَيُعْظِمْ لَهُ أَجْرًا "...and whoever fears Allah - He will remove for him his misdeeds and make great for him his reward." [65:5]
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۚ قَدْ أَنزَلَ اللَّـهُ إِلَيْكُمْ ذِكْرًا "... so fear Allah, O you of understanding who have believed. Allah has sent down to you the Qur'an." [65:10]
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) * | ||
Abdullah bin Masud (a famous companion) has pointed out, and the internal evidence of the subject matter of the Surah confirms the same, that it must have been sent down after the verses of Surah 2: al-Baqarah (The Cow) in which commandments concerning divorce were given for the first time.
- Laws of divorce (for details see below).
- Iddat (waiting period before the divorce takes effect) is commanded to be three menstruation periods, three months if menstruation is not applicable, and in case of pregnancy it is the delivery of child.
- Rebellion against Allah's commandment may bring stern reckoning or exemplary punishment, so fear Allah and adhere to His laws.
Tafsir Zone
Overview (Verse 1) The Process of Divorce Prophet! When you divorce women, divorce them with a view to their prescribed waiting period, and reckon the period accurately. Be conscious of God, your Lord Do not drive them out of their homes, nor shall they themselves leave, unless they commit a flagrant indecency. These are the bounds set by God. Whoever transgresses God's bounds wrongs his own soul You never know; after that, God may bring about some new situation. (Verse 1) This is the first stage and the first rule. It is addressed in the first instance to the Prophet, but it is soon realized that it is a general rule "When you divorce women, divorce them with a view to their prescribed waiting period." (Verse 1) An authentic hadith related by al-Bahia explains this directive: " `Abdullah ibn Umar divorced his wife when she was in the midst of her menstrual period. “Umar mentioned this to the Prophet who was clearly angry. He said to 'Umar 'Tell him to take her back and keep her until she has finished her period, then through her cleanliness cycle and her next menstrual period. When she is clean again if he still wants to divorce her, he should do so before he has intercourse with her. This is when the waiting period which God has ordained starts." Muslim also relates this hadith but the last sentence in his version runs as follows: "This is the start of the waiting period which God ordered that women should be divorced with a view to." It is clear, then, that there is a time when the divorce process can rightly start. A man cannot divorce his wife at any time; he can only do so when his wife is in a period of cleanliness from menstruation during which they have had no sexual intercourse. Other statements indicate that there is another time when the divorce process can be started, which is if the woman is clearly pregnant. The purpose behind limiting the time to these two situations is to delay the divorce for a while after the man has decided to so separate from his wife. During this time, tension may subside if it is of a transitory type and the couple may resume a normal life together. On the other hand, it also ensures that the woman is not pregnant before they embark on divorce. After all, a man may be inclined not to divorce his wife when he learns that she is pregnant. If he still resorts to divorce when he has become aware of her pregnancy, this means that his mind is made up. To sum up, the condition that the wife should be in cleanliness from menstruation without any intervening sexual intercourse is so as to ensure that she is not pregnant, and the condition that the pregnancy should be clearly determined is to ensure that the man is aware of it. This, then, is the first attempt to deal with cracks in the family structure, and to stop the axe that seeks to destroy it.' Yet this does not mean that divorce does not occur except in these two periods; it occurs whenever it is pronounced,6 but it will be frowned upon by God, and it will incur the anger of God's Messenger. This is sufficient for a good believer to hold on and riot to pronounce the word of divorce until the appropriate time, leaving the matter to God to determine its outcome as He pleases. "And reckon the period accurately." This is important, so that the waiting period is not made too long as to harm the divorcee, preventing her from remarriage after her waiting period is over. On the other hand, the first purpose of making sure that she is not pregnant will not be properly fulfilled if the waiting period is cut short. Moreover, this directive implies the seriousness of the matter and that God watches us and requires those involved to be careful at every step. "Be conscious of God, your Lord. Do not drive them out of their homes, nor shall they themselves leave, unless they commit a flagrant indecency." (Verse 1) This is the first caution that follows the address. It is given by God to emphasize the need to maintain fear of Him in all situations. This caution is stated before the order not to turn divorced women out of their homes. Although these are their husbands' homes, they are called here `their homes' so as to emphasize the woman's right to stay there during the waiting period. Women must not be driven out of these homes; nor should they leave of their own accord, except in a situation where a divorcing woman commits a flagrant indecency. Reports suggest that such an indecency might entail adultery and the need for the woman to receive her punishment, or it might entail her causing harm to her husband's family, or rebellion against her husband and doing what harms him, even though he is a divorcing husband. The purpose of the woman staying in her husband's home is to allow every chance for reconciliation and the reawakening of tender feelings and memories of shared things between the couple. This situation means that the couple will be apart because of the divorce that has been set in process, yet they are close physically. Should she sink so low that she commits adultery, or should she cause harm to her husband's family or rebel against him, this leaves no room for the reawakening of compassionate feelings. Nor is there any need for her to stay with her husband any longer. In fact, their proximity would only deepen the break, rather than heal it. "These are the bounds set by God. Whoever transgresses God's bounds wrongs his own soul." (Verse 1) This is the second warning. It is God who watches the implementation of this rule. Would any believer deliberately contravene the bounds God sets in place? To do so would be to bring ruin to those involved. "Whoever transgresses God's bounds wrongs his own soul." He exposes himself to God's anger. He wrongs himself by wronging his wife, when the two are created from a single soul. Thus any wrong that befalls her rebounds on him also. Besides, "you never know; after that, God may bring about some new situation." (Verse 1) This is an inspiring statement. Who knows how God's order to divorced woman to observe a waiting period during which she stays in her husband's home will work to fulfil His will? This order gives a little hope and kindles a faint light that may yet bring about an immeasurably good result. Things may change, and conflict may give way to reconciliation and contentment. God's will is always active, changing things and creating new situations. To submit to His will and observe His orders is for the better. Being conscious of Him and always on our guard lest we do what is sinful ensures an abundance of goodness. People tend to think only of the present moment and the situation they are in with all its circumstances and difficulties. They may not look up to the future, remaining imprisoned within the present moment feeling that it will continue for ever. They feel that what they are going through now will be their permanent lot. This sort of psychological imprisonment can be terribly detrimental. Yet the truth is different, because God's will always changes things and brings about what people have never thought possible. It opens up hope, bringing ease after hardship. God initiates at any moment situations that might never have been dreamt of. God wants this truth to be clearly understood by us so that we will continue to look up with hope to what He puts before us. We must always be optimistic, thinking of what He may grant us and what prospects He opens before us. We should always remember that the next moment can bring something beyond our wildest dreams: "You never know; after that, God may bring about some new situation." (Verse 1) |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
Mawdudi
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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Overview (Verse 1) The Process of Divorce Prophet! When you divorce women, divorce them with a view to their prescribed waiting period, and reckon the period accurately. Be conscious of God, your Lord Do not drive them out of their homes, nor shall they themselves leave, unless they commit a flagrant indecency. These are the bounds set by God. Whoever transgresses God's bounds wrongs his own soul You never know; after that, God may bring about some new situation. (Verse 1) This is the first stage and the first rule. It is addressed in the first instance to the Prophet, but it is soon realized that it is a general rule "When you divorce women, divorce them with a view to their prescribed waiting period." (Verse 1) An authentic hadith related by al-Bahia explains this directive: " `Abdullah ibn Umar divorced his wife when she was in the midst of her menstrual period. “Umar mentioned this to the Prophet who was clearly angry. He said to 'Umar 'Tell him to take her back and keep her until she has finished her period, then through her cleanliness cycle and her next menstrual period. When she is clean again if he still wants to divorce her, he should do so before he has intercourse with her. This is when the waiting period which God has ordained starts." Muslim also relates this hadith but the last sentence in his version runs as follows: "This is the start of the waiting period which God ordered that women should be divorced with a view to." It is clear, then, that there is a time when the divorce process can rightly start. A man cannot divorce his wife at any time; he can only do so when his wife is in a period of cleanliness from menstruation during which they have had no sexual intercourse. Other statements indicate that there is another time when the divorce process can be started, which is if the woman is clearly pregnant. The purpose behind limiting the time to these two situations is to delay the divorce for a while after the man has decided to so separate from his wife. During this time, tension may subside if it is of a transitory type and the couple may resume a normal life together. On the other hand, it also ensures that the woman is not pregnant before they embark on divorce. After all, a man may be inclined not to divorce his wife when he learns that she is pregnant. If he still resorts to divorce when he has become aware of her pregnancy, this means that his mind is made up. To sum up, the condition that the wife should be in cleanliness from menstruation without any intervening sexual intercourse is so as to ensure that she is not pregnant, and the condition that the pregnancy should be clearly determined is to ensure that the man is aware of it. This, then, is the first attempt to deal with cracks in the family structure, and to stop the axe that seeks to destroy it.' Yet this does not mean that divorce does not occur except in these two periods; it occurs whenever it is pronounced,6 but it will be frowned upon by God, and it will incur the anger of God's Messenger. This is sufficient for a good believer to hold on and riot to pronounce the word of divorce until the appropriate time, leaving the matter to God to determine its outcome as He pleases. "And reckon the period accurately." This is important, so that the waiting period is not made too long as to harm the divorcee, preventing her from remarriage after her waiting period is over. On the other hand, the first purpose of making sure that she is not pregnant will not be properly fulfilled if the waiting period is cut short. Moreover, this directive implies the seriousness of the matter and that God watches us and requires those involved to be careful at every step. "Be conscious of God, your Lord. Do not drive them out of their homes, nor shall they themselves leave, unless they commit a flagrant indecency." (Verse 1) This is the first caution that follows the address. It is given by God to emphasize the need to maintain fear of Him in all situations. This caution is stated before the order not to turn divorced women out of their homes. Although these are their husbands' homes, they are called here `their homes' so as to emphasize the woman's right to stay there during the waiting period. Women must not be driven out of these homes; nor should they leave of their own accord, except in a situation where a divorcing woman commits a flagrant indecency. Reports suggest that such an indecency might entail adultery and the need for the woman to receive her punishment, or it might entail her causing harm to her husband's family, or rebellion against her husband and doing what harms him, even though he is a divorcing husband. The purpose of the woman staying in her husband's home is to allow every chance for reconciliation and the reawakening of tender feelings and memories of shared things between the couple. This situation means that the couple will be apart because of the divorce that has been set in process, yet they are close physically. Should she sink so low that she commits adultery, or should she cause harm to her husband's family or rebel against him, this leaves no room for the reawakening of compassionate feelings. Nor is there any need for her to stay with her husband any longer. In fact, their proximity would only deepen the break, rather than heal it. "These are the bounds set by God. Whoever transgresses God's bounds wrongs his own soul." (Verse 1) This is the second warning. It is God who watches the implementation of this rule. Would any believer deliberately contravene the bounds God sets in place? To do so would be to bring ruin to those involved. "Whoever transgresses God's bounds wrongs his own soul." He exposes himself to God's anger. He wrongs himself by wronging his wife, when the two are created from a single soul. Thus any wrong that befalls her rebounds on him also. Besides, "you never know; after that, God may bring about some new situation." (Verse 1) This is an inspiring statement. Who knows how God's order to divorced woman to observe a waiting period during which she stays in her husband's home will work to fulfil His will? This order gives a little hope and kindles a faint light that may yet bring about an immeasurably good result. Things may change, and conflict may give way to reconciliation and contentment. God's will is always active, changing things and creating new situations. To submit to His will and observe His orders is for the better. Being conscious of Him and always on our guard lest we do what is sinful ensures an abundance of goodness. People tend to think only of the present moment and the situation they are in with all its circumstances and difficulties. They may not look up to the future, remaining imprisoned within the present moment feeling that it will continue for ever. They feel that what they are going through now will be their permanent lot. This sort of psychological imprisonment can be terribly detrimental. Yet the truth is different, because God's will always changes things and brings about what people have never thought possible. It opens up hope, bringing ease after hardship. God initiates at any moment situations that might never have been dreamt of. God wants this truth to be clearly understood by us so that we will continue to look up with hope to what He puts before us. We must always be optimistic, thinking of what He may grant us and what prospects He opens before us. We should always remember that the next moment can bring something beyond our wildest dreams: "You never know; after that, God may bring about some new situation." (Verse 1) |
- Surah 65. At-Talaq - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9VKBPqrJ_Q&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=65
- Surah 65. At-Talaq Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z24TYGJlZE8&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM&index=65
- Surah 65. At-Talaq Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgcQ4x-5BQI&index=65&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe
- Surah 65. At-Talaq Muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2GQifqbz_4&index=65&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG