Quranic Verses on Divorce

[Rodrigo_Bivar]

Unlike the God of Christianity, the God of Islam permits easy divorce. Here are the main verses.

al-Baqarah 2:228

Waalmutallaqatu yatarabbasna bi-anfusihinna thalathata quroo-in wala yahillu lahunna an yaktumna ma khalaqa Allahu fee arhamihinna in kunna yu/minna biAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri wabuAAoolatuhunna ahaqqu biraddihinna fee thalika in aradoo islahan walahunna mithlu allathee AAalayhinna bialmaAAroofi walilrrijali AAalayhinna darajatun waAllahu AAazeezun hakeemun

And the divorced (F) wait with themselves (F) three menstrual cycles, and (it is) not permitted/allowed to them (F) that they (F) hide/conceal what God created in their (F) wombs/uteruses, if they (F) were believing with God, and the Day the Last/Resurrection Day, and their husbands/spouses (are) more worthy/deserving with returning them, in that if they wanted/intended a reconciliation. And for them (F) similar/equal what (is) on them (F) with the kindness/generosity, and to the men a step/stage/grade on them (F), and God (is) glorious/mighty , wise/judicious.

Shakir And the divorced women should keep themselves in waiting for three courses; and it is not lawful for them that they should conceal what Allah has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allah and the last day; and their husbands have a better right to take them back in the meanwhile if they wish for reconciliation; and they have rights similar to those against them in a just manner, and the men are a degree above them, and Allah is Mighty, Wise.

at-Talaq 65:4

Waalla-ee ya-isna mina almaheedi min nisa-ikum ini irtabtum faAAiddatuhunna thalathatu ashhurin waalla-ee lam yahidna waolatu al-ahmali ajaluhunna an yadaAAna hamlahunna waman yattaqi Allaha yajAAal lahu min amrihi yusran

And those (F) who became infertile/despaired from the menstruation from your women, if you became doubtful/suspicious, so their term/count (is) three months, and those (F) who did not menstruate, and (those) of the pregnant, their term/time (is) that (E) they (F) give birth/drop their (F) off spring/loads/pregnancies, and who fears and obeys God, He makes/puts from his matter/affair ease/flexibility.

Shakir And (as for) those of your women who have despaired of menstruation, if you have a doubt, their prescribed time shall be three months, and of those too who have not had their courses; and (as for) the pregnant women, their prescribed time is that they lay down their burden; and whoever is careful of (his duty to) Allah He will make easy for him his affair.

al-Ahzab 33:49

Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo itha nakahtumu almu/minati thumma tallaqtumoohunna min qabli an tamassoohunna fama lakum AAalayhinna min AAiddatin taAAtaddoonaha famattiAAoohunna wasarrihoohunna sarahan jameelan

You, you those who believed, if you married the believers (F) then you divorced/freed them (F) from before that you touch them (F), so (there is) no term/counting (no waiting period) you count it, so give them alimony, and divorce/release them (F) beautifully divorce/release .

Shakir O you who believe! when you marry the believing women, then divorce them before you touch them, you have in their case no term which you should reckon; so make some provision for them and send them forth a goodly sending forth.

Analysis
When Muhammad revealed surah 2:228 in the early Medinah period, he forgot about other categories of females - thus raising confusion amongst the Muslims as to the correct iddat. He was forced to correct Allah’s short-sightedness in the middle Medinah period with surah 65 and included the other categories he earlier forgot - namely menopausal women, pre-pubertal girls and pregnant women.

Surah 2:228 says that the iddat of the Muslimah is three menstrual cycles. However, since other categories of females do not menstruate, he altered the iddat requirement for them to be 3 months.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir:
The `Iddah of Those in Menopause and Those Who do not have Menses

Allah the Exalted clarifies the waiting period of the woman in menopause. And that is the one whose menstruation has stopped due to her older age. Her Iddah is three months instead of the three monthly cycles for those who menstruate, which is based upon the Ayah in (Surat) Al-Baqarah. [see 2:228] **The same for the young, who have not reached the years of menstruation.** Their Iddah is three months like those in menopause. This is the meaning of His saying.

cont.

 

[Rodrigo_Bivar]

Tafsir Al-Jalalyn:
And [as for] those of your women who (read allā’ī or allā’i in both instances) no longer expect to menstruate, if you have any doubts, about their waiting period, their prescribed [waiting] period shall be three months, and [also for]** those who have not yet menstruated, because of their young age, their period shall [also] be three months **- both cases apply to other than those whose spouses have died; for these [latter] their period is prescribed in the verse: they shall wait by themselves for four months and ten [days] [Q. 2:234]. And those who are pregnant, their term, the conclusion of their prescribed [waiting] period if divorced or if their spouses be dead, shall be when they deliver. And whoever fears God, He will make matters ease for him, in this world and in the Hereafter.

Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs:
(And for such of your women as despair of menstruation) because of old age, (if ye doubt) about their waiting period, (their period (of waiting) shall be three months) upon which another man asked: “O Messenger of Allah! **What about the waiting period of those who do not have menstruation because they are too young?” (along with those who have it not) because of young age, their waiting period is three months. ** Another man asked: “what is the waiting period for those women who are pregnant?” (And for those with child) i.e. those who are pregnant, (their period) their waiting period (shall be till they bring forth their burden) their child. (And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah) and whoever fears Allah regarding what he commands him, (He maketh his course easy for him) He makes his matter easy; and it is also said this means: He will help him to worship Him well.

Maududi:
“Therefore, making mention of the waiting-period for girls who have not yet menstruated, clearly proves that it is not only permissible to give away the girl at this age but it is permissible for the husband to consummate marriage with her. Now, obviously no Muslim has the right to forbid a thing which the Qur’an has held as permissible.” (Maududi, volume 5, p. 620, note 13, emphasis added)

Tafsir Al-Tabari:
The interpretation of the verse "And those of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the 'Iddah (prescribed period), if you have doubt (about their periods), is three months; and for those who have no courses (i.e. they are still immature) their 'Iddah (prescribed period) is three months likewise". He said: The same applies to the 'idaah for girls who do not menstruate because they are too young, if their husbands divorce them after consummating the marriage with them. Tafseer al-Tabari, 14/142

Bukhari:
CCCLXXXIV: The Tafsir of Surat at-Talaq
Mujahid said that “if you have any doubt” (65:4) means if you do not know whether she menstruates or not. Those who do not longer menstruate and those who have not yet menstruated, their 'idda is three months.

Bukhari (39) CHAPTER. Giving one’s young children in marriage (is permissible) by virtue of the Statement of Allah: ‘And for those who have courses’ (i.e. they are still immature) (Sura 65:4) And the ‘Iddat [waiting period for a woman before lawful sexual intercourse] for the girl before puberty is three months (in the above Verse).

The sahih hadith also clarifies 65:4

Sahih Bukari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 63:
Narrated Sahl bin Sad: While we were sitting in the company of the Prophet a woman came to him and presented herself (for marriage) to him. The Prophet looked at her, lowering his eyes and raising them, but did not give a reply. One of his companions said, “Marry her to me O Allah’s Apostle!” The Prophet asked (him), “Have you got anything?” He said, “I have got nothing.” The Prophet said, “Not even an iron ring?” He Sad, “Not even an iron ring, but I will tear my garment into two halves and give her one half and keep the other half.” The Prophet; said, “No. Do you know some of the Quran (by heart)?” He said, “Yes.” The Prophet said, “Go, I have agreed to marry her to you with what you know of the Qur’an (as her Mahr).” 'And for those who have no courses (i.e. they are still immature). (65.4) **And the 'Iddat for the girl before puberty is three months **(in the above Verse).

However, it should also be noted that 33:49 says that if a wife is ‘untouched’, i.e. the marriage was unconsummated, she does not have to observe iddat. Thus, all the categories of females in 2:228 and 65:4 must have had sex with their husbands.

I leave it to the conclusion of the readers as to what it means for the ‘girl before puberty’ in 65:4 who has to observe iddat of 3 months.

Chau,
Rodrigo

 

[Lance]

Since I don’t believe the Quran is even close to the word of God, I don’t care what it says about anything. I believe it is a book made up by power hungry war lords so that they could do what ever they wished. Just my opinion, which with $3 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

 

[lightofeyes]

Actually that is not true divorce is not easy, but God make him the last solution if the life between man and woman becomes impossible, maybe man will find for him a better and more suitable and the woman as well I mean for marriage. See what Almighty Allah said here:

[4:19] O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will; and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit open illegal sexual intercourse; And live with them honorably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allâh brings through it a great deal of good.

But what the solution in Christianity if the live between man and woman becomes impossible!!! I guess like what in western society doing is to commit fornication with other woman!!!..

 

[Angelos]

Actually that is not true divorce is not easy, but God make him the last solution if the life between man and woman becomes impossible, maybe man will find for him a better and more suitable and the woman as well I mean for marriage. See what Almighty Allah said here:

[4:19] O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will; and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit open illegal sexual intercourse; And live with them honorably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allâh brings through it a great deal of good.

But what the solution in Christianity if the live between man and woman becomes impossible!!! I guess like what in western society doing is to commit fornication with other woman!!!..

Good point! You are good at highlighting the similarities between Western immorality and Islamic polygamy In Western society the only difference is that women are allowed to commit adultery and fornication whereas in Islam only men are allowed to do so through marriage with more than one woman.

In Christianity the marital union between a man and a woman comes to an end in case of one’s death. Mohammed bin Abdullah, however, did not allow his many wives to marry other men even after his death!!! Prophet’s wives were forced to asexuality although they were not nuns! (Ahzab 52)

Consider a prophet that lets his male followers marry more than one woman so as to protect women from fornication, and imagine that this same prophet pushes his female followers into fornication by making divorce so easy! What a miracle of confusion and contradiction! clap clap clap…

Angelos N.