Quran Verses about Divorce

34 ayahs · from 6 surahs

When a dispute between husband and wife is feared, these verses command sending arbiters from both families and say that reconciliation is better. Revocable divorce is stated as twice, after which the wife is to be kept on fair terms or released with kindness, and a divorced woman observes a waiting period, is not driven out of her home during it, is maintained if pregnant, paid if she nurses, and given a gift of provision. The verses also state the waiting period of a widow, and the rules of ila', li'an and zihar with their expiation.

Reconciling husband and wife, and if they still part

  1. وَإِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ شِقَاقَ بَيۡنِهِمَا فَٱبۡعَثُواْ حَكَمٗا مِّنۡ أَهۡلِهِۦ وَحَكَمٗا مِّنۡ أَهۡلِهَآ إِن يُرِيدَآ إِصۡلَٰحٗا يُوَفِّقِ ٱللَّهُ بَيۡنَهُمَآۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا خَبِيرٗا ٣٥

    Wa in khiftum shiqāqa baynihimā fabʿathū ḥakamam min ahlihī wa ḥakamam min ahlihā iy yurīdā iṣlāḥay yuwaffiqillāhu baynahumā, innallāha kāna ʿalīman khabīrā.

    And if you fear dissension between the two, send an arbitrator from his people and an arbitrator from her people. If they both desire reconciliation, Allāh will cause it between them. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Aware.

  1. وَإِنِ ٱمۡرَأَةٌ خَافَتۡ مِنۢ بَعۡلِهَا نُشُوزًا أَوۡ إِعۡرَاضٗا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡهِمَآ أَن يُصۡلِحَا بَيۡنَهُمَا صُلۡحٗاۚ وَٱلصُّلۡحُ خَيۡرٞۗ وَأُحۡضِرَتِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ ٱلشُّحَّۚ وَإِن تُحۡسِنُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٗا ١٢٨

    Wa inimraʾatun khāfat mim baʿlihā nushūzan aw iʿrāḍan falā junāḥa ʿalayhimā ay yuṣliḥā baynahumā ṣulḥā, waṣ-ṣulḥu khayr, wa uḥḍiratil-anfusush-shuḥḥ, wa in tuḥsinū watattaqū fa innallāha kāna bimā taʿmalūna khabīrā.

    And if a woman fears from her husband contempt or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement between them - and settlement is best. And present in [human] souls is stinginess.1 But if you do good and fear Allāh - then indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. i.e., holding on to self-interests.
  1. وَلَن تَسۡتَطِيعُوٓاْ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ بَيۡنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَلَوۡ حَرَصۡتُمۡۖ فَلَا تَمِيلُواْ كُلَّ ٱلۡمَيۡلِ فَتَذَرُوهَا كَٱلۡمُعَلَّقَةِۚ وَإِن تُصۡلِحُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورٗا رَّحِيمٗا ١٢٩

    Wa lan tastaṭīʿū an taʿdilū baynan-nisāʾi wa law ḥaraṣtum, falā tamīlū kullal-mayli fatadharūhā kal-muʿallaqah, wa in tuṣliḥū watattaqū fa innallāha kāna ghafūrar raḥīmā.

    And you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging.1 And if you amend [your affairs] and fear Allāh - then indeed, Allāh is ever Forgiving and Merciful.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. Neither divorced nor enjoying the rights of marriage.
  2. وَإِن يَتَفَرَّقَا يُغۡنِ ٱللَّهُ كُلّٗا مِّن سَعَتِهِۦۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعًا حَكِيمٗا ١٣٠

    Wa iy yatafarraqā yughnillāhu kullam min saʿatih, wa kānallāhu wāsiʿan ḥakīmā.

    But if they separate [by divorce], Allāh will enrich each [of them] from His abundance. And ever is Allāh Encompassing and Wise.

Revocable divorce, khul', and the third divorce

  1. وَٱلۡمُطَلَّقَٰتُ يَتَرَبَّصۡنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ ثَلَٰثَةَ قُرُوٓءٖۚ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَهُنَّ أَن يَكۡتُمۡنَ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ فِيٓ أَرۡحَامِهِنَّ إِن كُنَّ يُؤۡمِنَّ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۚ وَبُعُولَتُهُنَّ أَحَقُّ بِرَدِّهِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ إِنۡ أَرَادُوٓاْ إِصۡلَٰحٗاۚ وَلَهُنَّ مِثۡلُ ٱلَّذِي عَلَيۡهِنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۚ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيۡهِنَّ دَرَجَةٞۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ٢٢٨

    Wal-muṭallaqātu yatarabbaṣna biʾanfusihinna thalāthata qurūʾ, wa lā yaḥillu lahunna ay yaktumna mā khalaqallāhu fī arḥāmihinna in kunna yuʾminna billāhi wal-yawmil-ākhir, wa buʿūlatuhunna aḥaqqu biraddihinna fī dhālika in arādū iṣlāḥā, wa lahunna mithlul-ladhī ʿalayhinna bil-maʿrūf, walir-rijāli ʿalayhinna darajah, wallāhu ʿazīzun ḥakīm.

    Divorced women remain in waiting [i.e., do not remarry] for three periods,1 and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allāh has created in their wombs if they believe in Allāh and the Last Day. And their husbands have more right to take them back in this [period] if they want reconciliation.2 And due to them [i.e., the wives] is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable.3 But the men [i.e., husbands] have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. And Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.

    Footnotes (3)
    1. Either menstrual periods or periods of purity between menstruation. See also 65:1-7.
    2. The husband may return her to himself during the ʿiddah period of a first and second divorce without a new marriage contract.
    3. The wife has specific rights upon her husband, just as the husband has rights upon her.
  2. ٱلطَّلَٰقُ مَرَّتَانِۖ فَإِمۡسَاكُۢ بِمَعۡرُوفٍ أَوۡ تَسۡرِيحُۢ بِإِحۡسَٰنٖۗ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمۡ أَن تَأۡخُذُواْ مِمَّآ ءَاتَيۡتُمُوهُنَّ شَيۡـًٔا إِلَّآ أَن يَخَافَآ أَلَّا يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِۖ فَإِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ أَلَّا يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡهِمَا فِيمَا ٱفۡتَدَتۡ بِهِۦۗ تِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَعۡتَدُوهَاۚ وَمَن يَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ ٢٢٩

    Aṭ-ṭalāqu marratān, fa imsākum bimaʿrūfin aw tasrīḥum biʾiḥsān, wa lā yaḥillu lakum an taʾkhudhū mimmā ātaytumūhunna shayʾan illā ay yakhāfā allā yuqīmā ḥudūdallāh, fa in khiftum allā yuqīmā ḥudūdallāhi falā junāḥa ʿalayhimā fīmaftadat bih, tilka ḥudūdullāhi falā taʿtadūhā, wa may yataʿadda ḥudūdallāhi fa ulāʾika humuẓ-ẓālimūn.

    Divorce is twice. Then [after that], either keep [her] in an acceptable manner or release [her] with good treatment. And it is not lawful for you to take anything of what you have given them unless both fear that they will not be able to keep [within] the limits of Allāh.1 But if you fear that they will not keep [within] the limits of Allāh, then there is no blame upon either of them concerning that by which she ransoms herself. These are the limits of Allāh, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allāh - it is those who are the wrongdoers [i.e., the unjust].

    Footnotes (1)
    1. i.e., deal fairly with each other.
  3. فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا تَحِلُّ لَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعۡدُ حَتَّىٰ تَنكِحَ زَوۡجًا غَيۡرَهُۥۗ فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡهِمَآ أَن يَتَرَاجَعَآ إِن ظَنَّآ أَن يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَتِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ يُبَيِّنُهَا لِقَوۡمٖ يَعۡلَمُونَ ٢٣٠

    Fa in ṭallaqahā falā taḥillu lahū mim baʿdu ḥattā tankiḥa zawjan ghayrah, fa in ṭallaqahā falā junāḥa ʿalayhimā ay yatarājaʿā in ẓannā ay yuqīmā ḥudūdallāh, wa tilka ḥudūdullāhi yubayyinuhā liqawmiy yaʿlamūn.

    And if he has divorced her [for the third time], then she is not lawful to him afterward until [after] she marries a husband other than him.1 And if he [i.e., the latter husband] divorces her [or dies], there is no blame upon them [i.e., the woman and her former husband] for returning to each other if they think that they can keep [within] the limits of Allāh. These are the limits of Allāh, which He makes clear to a people who know [i.e.,understand].

    Footnotes (1)
    1. With the intention of permanence, not merely in order to return to the previous husband.
  4. وَإِذَا طَلَّقۡتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَبَلَغۡنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَأَمۡسِكُوهُنَّ بِمَعۡرُوفٍ أَوۡ سَرِّحُوهُنَّ بِمَعۡرُوفٖۚ وَلَا تُمۡسِكُوهُنَّ ضِرَارٗا لِّتَعۡتَدُواْۚ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٰلِكَ فَقَدۡ ظَلَمَ نَفۡسَهُۥۚ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوٓاْ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ هُزُوٗاۚ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ يَعِظُكُم بِهِۦۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيۡءٍ عَلِيمٞ ٢٣١

    Wa idhā ṭallaqtumun-nisāʾa fabalaghna ajalahunna fa amsikūhunna bimaʿrūfin aw sarriḥūhunna bimaʿrūf, wa lā tumsikūhunna ḍirāral litaʿtadū, wa may yafʿal dhālika faqad ẓalama nafsah, wa lā tattakhidhū āyātillāhi huzuwā, wadhkurū niʿmatallāhi ʿalaykum wa mā anzala ʿalaykum minal-kitābi wal-ḥikmati yaʿiẓukum bih, wattaqullāha waʿlamū annallāha bikulli shayʾin ʿalīm.

    And when you divorce women and they have [nearly] fulfilled their term, either retain them according to acceptable terms or release them according to acceptable terms, and do not keep them, intending harm, to transgress [against them]. And whoever does that has certainly wronged himself. And do not take the verses of Allāh in jest. And remember the favor of Allāh upon you and what has been revealed to you of the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] and wisdom [i.e., the Prophet's sunnah] by which He instructs you. And fear Allāh and know that Allāh is Knowing of all things.

  5. وَإِذَا طَلَّقۡتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَبَلَغۡنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا تَعۡضُلُوهُنَّ أَن يَنكِحۡنَ أَزۡوَٰجَهُنَّ إِذَا تَرَٰضَوۡاْ بَيۡنَهُم بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۗ ذَٰلِكَ يُوعَظُ بِهِۦ مَن كَانَ مِنكُمۡ يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۗ ذَٰلِكُمۡ أَزۡكَىٰ لَكُمۡ وَأَطۡهَرُۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ ٢٣٢

    Wa idhā ṭallaqtumun-nisāʾa fabalaghna ajalahunna falā taʿḍulūhunna ay yankiḥna azwājahunna idhā tarāḍaw baynahum bil-maʿrūf, dhālika yūʿaẓu bihī man kāna minkum yuʾminu billāhi wal-yawmil-ākhir, dhālikum azkā lakum wa aṭhar, wallāhu yaʿlamu wa antum lā taʿlamūn.

    And when you divorce women1 and they have fulfilled their term, do not prevent them from remarrying their [former] husbands if they [i.e., all parties] agree among themselves on an acceptable basis. That is instructed to whoever of you believes in Allāh and the Last Day. That is better for you and purer, and Allāh knows and you know not.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. For the first or second time.

Divorce at the start of the waiting period, witnesses, housing and maintenance

  1. يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِيُّ إِذَا طَلَّقۡتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَطَلِّقُوهُنَّ لِعِدَّتِهِنَّ وَأَحۡصُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّكُمۡۖ لَا تُخۡرِجُوهُنَّ مِنۢ بُيُوتِهِنَّ وَلَا يَخۡرُجۡنَ إِلَّآ أَن يَأۡتِينَ بِفَٰحِشَةٖ مُّبَيِّنَةٖۚ وَتِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِۚ وَمَن يَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ فَقَدۡ ظَلَمَ نَفۡسَهُۥۚ لَا تَدۡرِي لَعَلَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحۡدِثُ بَعۡدَ ذَٰلِكَ أَمۡرٗا ١

    Yāʾayyuhan-nabiyyu idhā ṭallaqtumun-nisāʾa faṭalliqūhunna liʿiddatihinna wa aḥṣul-ʿiddah, wattaqullāha rabbakum, lā tukhrijūhunna mim buyūtihinna wa lā yakhrujna illā ay yaʾtīna bifāḥishatim mubayyinah, wa tilka ḥudūdullāh, wa may yataʿadda ḥudūdallāhi faqad ẓalama nafsah, lā tadrī laʿallallāha yuḥdithu baʿda dhālika amrā.

    O Prophet, when you [Muslims] divorce women, divorce them for [the commencement of] their waiting period and keep count of the waiting period,1 and fear Allāh, your Lord. Do not turn them out of their [husbands'] houses, nor should they [themselves] leave [during that period] unless they are committing a clear immorality. And those are the limits [set by] Allāh. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allāh has certainly wronged himself. You know not; perhaps Allāh will bring about after that a [different] matter.2

    Footnotes (2)
    1. See rulings in 2:228-233. A wife should not be divorced except after the completion of her menstrual period but before sexual intercourse has occurred, or else during a confirmed pregnancy. The pronouncement of divorce begins her waiting period (ʿiddah).
    2. Such as regret or renewed desire for the wife.
  2. فَإِذَا بَلَغۡنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَأَمۡسِكُوهُنَّ بِمَعۡرُوفٍ أَوۡ فَارِقُوهُنَّ بِمَعۡرُوفٖ وَأَشۡهِدُواْ ذَوَيۡ عَدۡلٖ مِّنكُمۡ وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلشَّهَٰدَةَ لِلَّهِۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ يُوعَظُ بِهِۦ مَن كَانَ يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ مَخۡرَجٗا ٢

    Fa idhā balaghna ajalahunna fa amsikūhunna bimaʿrūfin aw fāriqūhunna bimaʿrūfiw wa ashhidū dhaway ʿadlim minkum wa aqīmush-shahādata lillāh, dhālikum yūʿaẓu bihī man kāna yuʾminu billāhi wal-yawmil-ākhir, wa may yattaqillāha yajʿal lahū makhrajā.

    And when they have [nearly] fulfilled their term, either retain them according to acceptable terms or part with them according to acceptable terms. And bring to witness two just men from among you and establish the testimony for [the acceptance of] Allāh. That is instructed to whoever should believe in Allāh and the Last Day. And whoever fears Allāh - He will make for him a way out1

    Footnotes (1)
    1. i.e., relief from distress.
  3. وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهُۥٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَٰلِغُ أَمۡرِهِۦۚ قَدۡ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدۡرٗا ٣

    Wa yarzuqhu min ḥaythu lā yaḥtasib, wa may yatawakkal ʿalallāhi fahuwa ḥasbuh, innallāha bālighu amrih, qad jaʿalallāhu likulli shayʾin qadrā.

    And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allāh - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allāh will accomplish His purpose. Allāh has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.

  1. وَٱلَّٰٓـِٔي يَئِسۡنَ مِنَ ٱلۡمَحِيضِ مِن نِّسَآئِكُمۡ إِنِ ٱرۡتَبۡتُمۡ فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ ثَلَٰثَةُ أَشۡهُرٖ وَٱلَّٰٓـِٔي لَمۡ يَحِضۡنَۚ وَأُوْلَٰتُ ٱلۡأَحۡمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَن يَضَعۡنَ حَمۡلَهُنَّۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦ يُسۡرٗا ٤

    Wal-lāʾī yaʾisna minal-maḥīḍi min nisāʾikum inirtabtum faʿiddatuhunna thalāthatu ashhuriw wal-lāʾī lam yaḥiḍn, wa ulātul-aḥmāli ajaluhunna ay yaḍaʿna ḥamlahunn, wa may yattaqillāha yajʿal lahū min amrihī yusrā.

    And those who no longer expect menstruation among your women - if you doubt, then their period is three months, and [also for] those who have not menstruated. And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth.1 And whoever fears Allāh - He will make for him of his matter ease.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. The ruling concerning pregnancy applies also in the case of the husband's death.
  2. ذَٰلِكَ أَمۡرُ ٱللَّهِ أَنزَلَهُۥٓ إِلَيۡكُمۡۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يُكَفِّرۡ عَنۡهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُعۡظِمۡ لَهُۥٓ أَجۡرًا ٥

    Dhālika amrullāhi anzalahū ilaykum, wa may yattaqillāha yukaffir ʿanhu sayyiʾātihī wa yuʿẓim lahū ajrā.

    That is the command of Allāh, which He has sent down to you; and whoever fears Allāh - He will remove for him his misdeeds and make great for him his reward.

  3. أَسۡكِنُوهُنَّ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ سَكَنتُم مِّن وُجۡدِكُمۡ وَلَا تُضَآرُّوهُنَّ لِتُضَيِّقُواْ عَلَيۡهِنَّۚ وَإِن كُنَّ أُوْلَٰتِ حَمۡلٖ فَأَنفِقُواْ عَلَيۡهِنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَضَعۡنَ حَمۡلَهُنَّۚ فَإِنۡ أَرۡضَعۡنَ لَكُمۡ فَـَٔاتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ وَأۡتَمِرُواْ بَيۡنَكُم بِمَعۡرُوفٖۖ وَإِن تَعَاسَرۡتُمۡ فَسَتُرۡضِعُ لَهُۥٓ أُخۡرَىٰ ٦

    Askinūhunna min ḥaythu sakantum miw wujdikum wa lā tuḍārrūhunna lituḍayyiqū ʿalayhinn, wa in kunna ulāti ḥamlin fa anfiqū ʿalayhinna ḥattā yaḍaʿna ḥamlahunn, fa in arḍaʿna lakum fa ātūhunna ujūrahunna waʾtamirū baynakum bimaʿrūf, wa in taʿāsartum fasaturḍiʿu lahū ukhrā.

    Lodge them1 [in a section] of where you dwell out of your means and do not harm them in order to oppress them.2 And if they should be pregnant, then spend on them until they give birth. And if they breastfeed for you, then give them their payment and confer among yourselves in the acceptable way; but if you are in discord, then there may breastfeed for him [i.e., the father] another woman.3

    Footnotes (3)
    1. During their waiting period (referring to wives whose divorce has been pronounced).
    2. So that they would be forced to leave or to ransom themselves.
    3. See 2:233.
  4. لِيُنفِقۡ ذُو سَعَةٖ مِّن سَعَتِهِۦۖ وَمَن قُدِرَ عَلَيۡهِ رِزۡقُهُۥ فَلۡيُنفِقۡ مِمَّآ ءَاتَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُۚ لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا مَآ ءَاتَىٰهَاۚ سَيَجۡعَلُ ٱللَّهُ بَعۡدَ عُسۡرٖ يُسۡرٗا ٧

    Liyunfiq dhū saʿatim min saʿatih, wa man qudira ʿalayhi rizquhū falyunfiq mimmā ātāhullāh, lā yukallifullāhu nafsan illā mā ātāhā, sayajʿalullāhu baʿda ʿusriy yusrā.

    Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted - let him spend from what Allāh has given him. Allāh does not charge a soul except [according to] what He has given it. Allāh will bring about, after hardship, ease [i.e., relief].

The waiting period of widows and of those divorced before consummation

  1. وَٱلَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوۡنَ مِنكُمۡ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزۡوَٰجٗا يَتَرَبَّصۡنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ أَرۡبَعَةَ أَشۡهُرٖ وَعَشۡرٗاۖ فَإِذَا بَلَغۡنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فِيمَا فَعَلۡنَ فِيٓ أَنفُسِهِنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٞ ٢٣٤

    Wal-ladhīna yutawaffawna minkum wa yadharūna azwājay yatarabbaṣna biʾanfusihinna arbaʿata ashhuriw wa ʿashrā, fa idhā balaghna ajalahunna falā junāḥa ʿalaykum fīmā faʿalna fī anfusihinna bil-maʿrūf, wallāhu bimā taʿmalūna khabīr.

    And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind - they, [the wives, shall] wait four months and ten [days]. And when they have fulfilled their term, then there is no blame upon you for what they do with themselves in an acceptable manner.1 And Allāh is [fully] Aware of what you do.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. They may remarry if they wish.
  2. وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فِيمَا عَرَّضۡتُم بِهِۦ مِنۡ خِطۡبَةِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ أَوۡ أَكۡنَنتُمۡ فِيٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡۚ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمۡ سَتَذۡكُرُونَهُنَّ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُوَاعِدُوهُنَّ سِرًّا إِلَّآ أَن تَقُولُواْ قَوۡلٗا مَّعۡرُوفٗاۚ وَلَا تَعۡزِمُواْ عُقۡدَةَ ٱلنِّكَاحِ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبُ أَجَلَهُۥۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا فِيٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ فَٱحۡذَرُوهُۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٞ ٢٣٥

    Wa lā junāḥa ʿalaykum fīmā ʿarraḍtum bihī min khiṭbatin-nisāʾi aw aknantum fī anfusikum, ʿalimallāhu annakum satadhkurūnahunna wa lākil lā tuwāʿidūhunna sirran illā an taqūlū qawlam maʿrūfā, wa lā taʿzimū ʿuqdatan-nikāḥi ḥattā yablughal-kitābu ajalah, waʿlamū annallāha yaʿlamu mā fī anfusikum faḥdharūh, waʿlamū annallāha ghafūrun ḥalīm.

    There is no blame upon you for that to which you [indirectly] allude concerning a proposal to women or for what you conceal within yourselves. Allāh knows that you will have them in mind. But do not promise them secretly except for saying a proper saying. And do not determine to undertake a marriage contract until the decreed period1 reaches its end. And know that Allāh knows what is within yourselves, so beware of Him. And know that Allāh is Forgiving and Forbearing.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. The ʿiddah (bereavement period) after the death of a husband.
  1. يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا نَكَحۡتُمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتِ ثُمَّ طَلَّقۡتُمُوهُنَّ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن تَمَسُّوهُنَّ فَمَا لَكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِنَّ مِنۡ عِدَّةٖ تَعۡتَدُّونَهَاۖ فَمَتِّعُوهُنَّ وَسَرِّحُوهُنَّ سَرَاحٗا جَمِيلٗا ٤٩

    Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū idhā nakaḥtumul-muʾmināti thumma ṭallaqtumūhunna min qabli an tamassūhunna famā lakum ʿalayhinna min ʿiddatin taʿtaddūnahā, famattiʿūhunna wa sarriḥūhunna sarāḥan jamīlā.

    O you who have believed, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them [i.e., consummated the marriage], then there is not for you any waiting period to count concerning them. So provide for them and give them a gracious release.

The rights of divorced women: dowry, gift of provision, and maintenance while nursing

  1. ۞ وَٱلۡوَٰلِدَٰتُ يُرۡضِعۡنَ أَوۡلَٰدَهُنَّ حَوۡلَيۡنِ كَامِلَيۡنِۖ لِمَنۡ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ ٱلرَّضَاعَةَۚ وَعَلَى ٱلۡمَوۡلُودِ لَهُۥ رِزۡقُهُنَّ وَكِسۡوَتُهُنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۚ لَا تُكَلَّفُ نَفۡسٌ إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَاۚ لَا تُضَآرَّ وَٰلِدَةُۢ بِوَلَدِهَا وَلَا مَوۡلُودٞ لَّهُۥ بِوَلَدِهِۦۚ وَعَلَى ٱلۡوَارِثِ مِثۡلُ ذَٰلِكَۗ فَإِنۡ أَرَادَا فِصَالًا عَن تَرَاضٖ مِّنۡهُمَا وَتَشَاوُرٖ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡهِمَاۗ وَإِنۡ أَرَدتُّمۡ أَن تَسۡتَرۡضِعُوٓاْ أَوۡلَٰدَكُمۡ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِذَا سَلَّمۡتُم مَّآ ءَاتَيۡتُم بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۗ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِيرٞ ٢٣٣

    Wal-wālidātu yurḍiʿna awlādahunna ḥawlayni kāmilayn, liman arāda ay yutimmar-raḍāʿah, wa ʿalal-mawlūdi lahū rizquhunna wa kiswatuhunna bil-maʿrūf, lā tukallafu nafsun illā wusʿahā, lā tuḍārra wālidatum biwaladihā wa lā mawlūdul lahū biwaladih, wa ʿalal-wārithi mithlu dhālik, fa in arādā fiṣālan ʿan tarāḍim minhumā wa tashāwurin falā junāḥa ʿalayhimā, wa in aradttum an tastarḍiʿū awlādakum falā junāḥa ʿalaykum idhā sallamtum mā ātaytum bil-maʿrūf, wattaqullāha waʿlamū annallāha bimā taʿmalūna baṣīr.

    Mothers may nurse [i.e., breastfeed] their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is their [i.e., the mothers'] provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allāh and know that Allāh is Seeing of what you do.

  1. لَّا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِن طَلَّقۡتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ مَا لَمۡ تَمَسُّوهُنَّ أَوۡ تَفۡرِضُواْ لَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةٗۚ وَمَتِّعُوهُنَّ عَلَى ٱلۡمُوسِعِ قَدَرُهُۥ وَعَلَى ٱلۡمُقۡتِرِ قَدَرُهُۥ مَتَٰعَۢا بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ ٢٣٦

    Lā junāḥa ʿalaykum in ṭallaqtumun-nisāʾa mā lam tamassūhunna aw tafriḍū lahunna farīḍah, wa mattiʿūhunna ʿalal-mūsiʿi qadaruhū wa ʿalal-muqtiri qadaruhū matāʿam bil-maʿrūf, ḥaqqan ʿalal-muḥsinīn.

    There is no blame upon you if you divorce women you have not touched1 nor specified for them an obligation.2 But give them [a gift of] compensation - the wealthy according to his capability and the poor according to his capability - a provision according to what is acceptable, a duty upon the doers of good.

    Footnotes (2)
    1. The marriage has not been consummated.
    2. Required bridal gift (mahr) .
  2. وَإِن طَلَّقۡتُمُوهُنَّ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن تَمَسُّوهُنَّ وَقَدۡ فَرَضۡتُمۡ لَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةٗ فَنِصۡفُ مَا فَرَضۡتُمۡ إِلَّآ أَن يَعۡفُونَ أَوۡ يَعۡفُوَاْ ٱلَّذِي بِيَدِهِۦ عُقۡدَةُ ٱلنِّكَاحِۚ وَأَن تَعۡفُوٓاْ أَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰۚ وَلَا تَنسَوُاْ ٱلۡفَضۡلَ بَيۡنَكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ ٢٣٧

    Wa in ṭallaqtumūhunna min qabli an tamassūhunna wa qad faraḍtum lahunna farīḍatan faniṣfu mā faraḍtum illā ay yaʿfūna aw yaʿfuwal-ladhī biyadihī ʿuqdatun-nikāḥ, wa an taʿfū aqrabu lit-taqwā, wa lā tansawul-faḍla baynakum, innallāha bimā taʿmalūna baṣīr.

    And if you divorce them before you have touched them and you have already specified for them an obligation, then [give] half of what you specified - unless they forego the right or the one in whose hand is the marriage contract foregoes it. And to forego it is nearer to righteousness. And do not forget graciousness between you. Indeed Allāh, of whatever you do, is Seeing.

  1. وَلِلۡمُطَلَّقَٰتِ مَتَٰعُۢ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٢٤١

    Walil-muṭallaqāti matāʿum bil-maʿrūf, ḥaqqan ʿalal-muttaqīn.

    And for divorced women is a provision according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous.

  2. كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ ٢٤٢

    Kadhālika yubayyinullāhu lakum āyātihī laʿallakum taʿqilūn.

    Thus does Allāh make clear to you His verses [i.e., laws] that you might use reason.

  1. وَإِنۡ أَرَدتُّمُ ٱسۡتِبۡدَالَ زَوۡجٖ مَّكَانَ زَوۡجٖ وَءَاتَيۡتُمۡ إِحۡدَىٰهُنَّ قِنطَارٗا فَلَا تَأۡخُذُواْ مِنۡهُ شَيۡـًٔاۚ أَتَأۡخُذُونَهُۥ بُهۡتَٰنٗا وَإِثۡمٗا مُّبِينٗا ٢٠

    Wa in aradttumustibdāla zawjim makāna zawjiw wa ātaytum iḥdāhunna qinṭāran falā taʾkhudhū minhu shayʾā, ataʾkhudhūnahū buhtānaw wa ithmam mubīnā.

    But if you want to replace one wife with another and you have given one of them a great amount [in gifts], do not take [back] from it anything. Would you take it in injustice and manifest sin?

  2. وَكَيۡفَ تَأۡخُذُونَهُۥ وَقَدۡ أَفۡضَىٰ بَعۡضُكُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٖ وَأَخَذۡنَ مِنكُم مِّيثَٰقًا غَلِيظٗا ٢١

    Wa kayfa taʾkhudhūnahū wa qad afḍā baʿḍukum ilā baʿḍiw wa akhadhna minkum mīthāqan ghalīẓā.

    And how could you take it while you have gone in unto each other and they have taken from you a solemn covenant?

Ila', li'an and zihar

  1. لِّلَّذِينَ يُؤۡلُونَ مِن نِّسَآئِهِمۡ تَرَبُّصُ أَرۡبَعَةِ أَشۡهُرٖۖ فَإِن فَآءُو فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ ٢٢٦

    Lil-ladhīna yuʾlūna min nisāʾihim tarabbuṣu arbaʿati ashhur, fa in fāʾū fa innallāha ghafūrur raḥīm.

    For those who swear not to have sexual relations with their wives1 is a waiting time of four months, but if they return [to normal relations] - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. Without divorcing them. By such an oath the woman is deprived of her right in marriage but is not free to marry another. She may not be kept in such a condition beyond the four-month limit.
  2. وَإِنۡ عَزَمُواْ ٱلطَّلَٰقَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٞ ٢٢٧

    Wa in ʿazamuṭ-ṭalāqa fa innallāha samīʿun ʿalīm.

    And if they decide on divorce - then indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.

  1. وَٱلَّذِينَ يَرۡمُونَ أَزۡوَٰجَهُمۡ وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُمۡ شُهَدَآءُ إِلَّآ أَنفُسُهُمۡ فَشَهَٰدَةُ أَحَدِهِمۡ أَرۡبَعُ شَهَٰدَٰتِۭ بِٱللَّهِ إِنَّهُۥ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ ٦

    Wal-ladhīna yarmūna azwājahum wa lam yakul lahum shuhadāʾu illā anfusuhum fashahādatu aḥadihim arbaʿu shahādātim billāhi innahū laminaṣ-ṣādiqīn.

    And those who accuse their wives [of adultery] and have no witnesses except themselves - then the witness of one of them1 [shall be] four testimonies [swearing] by Allāh that indeed, he is of the truthful.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. The husbands who have been betrayed.
  2. وَٱلۡخَٰمِسَةُ أَنَّ لَعۡنَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡهِ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡكَٰذِبِينَ ٧

    Wal-khāmisatu anna laʿnatallāhi ʿalayhi in kāna minal-kādhibīn.

    And the fifth [oath will be] that the curse of Allāh be upon him if he should be of the liars.

  3. وَيَدۡرَؤُاْ عَنۡهَا ٱلۡعَذَابَ أَن تَشۡهَدَ أَرۡبَعَ شَهَٰدَٰتِۭ بِٱللَّهِ إِنَّهُۥ لَمِنَ ٱلۡكَٰذِبِينَ ٨

    Wa yadraʾu ʿanhal-ʿadhāba an tashhada arbaʿa shahādātim billāhi innahū laminal-kādhibīn.

    But it will prevent punishment from her if she gives four testimonies [swearing] by Allāh that indeed, he is of the liars.

  4. وَٱلۡخَٰمِسَةَ أَنَّ غَضَبَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡهَآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ ٩

    Wal-khāmisata anna ghaḍaballāhi ʿalayhā in kāna minaṣ-ṣādiqīn.

    And the fifth [oath will be] that the wrath of Allāh be upon her if he was of the truthful.

  5. وَلَوۡلَا فَضۡلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَرَحۡمَتُهُۥ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ حَكِيمٌ ١٠

    Wa lawlā faḍlullāhi ʿalaykum wa raḥmatuhū wa annallāha tawwābun ḥakīm.

    And if not for the favor of Allāh upon you and His mercy...1 and because Allāh is Accepting of Repentance and Wise.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. The phrase omitted is estimated to be "...you would have surely been punished, destroyed or scandalized," or "...you would have suffered many difficult situations."
  1. مَّا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِرَجُلٖ مِّن قَلۡبَيۡنِ فِي جَوۡفِهِۦۚ وَمَا جَعَلَ أَزۡوَٰجَكُمُ ٱلَّٰٓـِٔي تُظَٰهِرُونَ مِنۡهُنَّ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمۡۚ وَمَا جَعَلَ أَدۡعِيَآءَكُمۡ أَبۡنَآءَكُمۡۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ قَوۡلُكُم بِأَفۡوَٰهِكُمۡۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَقُولُ ٱلۡحَقَّ وَهُوَ يَهۡدِي ٱلسَّبِيلَ ٤

    Mā jaʿalallāhu lirajulim min qalbayni fī jawfih, wa mā jaʿala azwājakumul-lāʾī tuẓāhirūna minhunna ummahātikum, wa mā jaʿala adʿiyāʾakum abnāʾakum, dhālikum qawlukum biʾafwāhikum, wallāhu yaqūlul-ḥaqqa wa huwa yahdis-sabīl.

    Allāh has not made for a man two hearts in his interior. And He has not made your wives whom you declare unlawful1 your mothers. And He has not made your claimed [i.e., adopted] sons your [true] sons. That is [merely] your saying by your mouths, but Allāh says the truth, and He guides to the [right] way.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. By the expression "You are to me like the back of my mother." Such an oath taken against approaching one's wife was a pre-Islāmic practice declared by Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) to be a sin requiring expiation as described in 58:3-4.
  1. قَدۡ سَمِعَ ٱللَّهُ قَوۡلَ ٱلَّتِي تُجَٰدِلُكَ فِي زَوۡجِهَا وَتَشۡتَكِيٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ يَسۡمَعُ تَحَاوُرَكُمَآۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعُۢ بَصِيرٌ ١

    Qad samiʿallāhu qawlal-latī tujādiluka fī zawjihā wa tashtakī ilallāhi wallāhu yasmaʿu taḥāwurakumā, innallāha samīʿum baṣīr.

    Certainly has Allāh heard the speech of the one who argues [i.e., pleads] with you, [O Muḥammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allāh. And Allāh hears your dialogue; indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.

  2. ٱلَّذِينَ يُظَٰهِرُونَ مِنكُم مِّن نِّسَآئِهِم مَّا هُنَّ أُمَّهَٰتِهِمۡۖ إِنۡ أُمَّهَٰتُهُمۡ إِلَّا ٱلَّٰٓـِٔي وَلَدۡنَهُمۡۚ وَإِنَّهُمۡ لَيَقُولُونَ مُنكَرٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَزُورٗاۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٞ ٢

    Al-ladhīna yuẓāhirūna minkum min nisāʾihim mā hunna ummahātihim, in ummahātuhum illal-lāʾī waladnahum, wa innahum layaqūlūna munkaram minal-qawli wa zūrā, wa innallāha laʿafuwwun ghafūr.

    Those who pronounce ẓihār1 among you [to separate] from their wives - they are not [consequently] their mothers. Their mothers are none but those who gave birth to them. And indeed, they are saying an objectionable statement and a falsehood. But indeed, Allāh is Pardoning and Forgiving.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. The saying by a husband to his wife, "You are to me like the back of my mother," meaning unlawful to approach. This was a type of divorce practiced by the Arabs before the prophethood of Muḥammad (ﷺ).
  3. وَٱلَّذِينَ يُظَٰهِرُونَ مِن نِّسَآئِهِمۡ ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ لِمَا قَالُواْ فَتَحۡرِيرُ رَقَبَةٖ مِّن قَبۡلِ أَن يَتَمَآسَّاۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ تُوعَظُونَ بِهِۦۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٞ ٣

    Wal-ladhīna yuẓāhirūna min nisāʾihim thumma yaʿūdūna limā qālū fataḥrīru raqabatim min qabli ay yatamāssā, dhālikum tūʿaẓūna bih, wallāhu bimā taʿmalūna khabīr.

    And those who pronounce ẓihār from their wives and then [wish to] go back on what they said - then [there must be] the freeing of a slave before they touch one another. That is what you are admonished thereby; and Allāh is Aware of what you do.

  4. فَمَن لَّمۡ يَجِدۡ فَصِيَامُ شَهۡرَيۡنِ مُتَتَابِعَيۡنِ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن يَتَمَآسَّاۖ فَمَن لَّمۡ يَسۡتَطِعۡ فَإِطۡعَامُ سِتِّينَ مِسۡكِينٗاۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتُؤۡمِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۚ وَتِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِۗ وَلِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ٤

    Famal lam yajid faṣiyāmu shahrayni mutatābiʿayni min qabli ay yatamāssā, famal lam yastaṭiʿ fa iṭʿāmu sittīna miskīnā, dhālika lituʾminū billāhi wa rasūlih, wa tilka ḥudūdullāh, walil-kāfirīna ʿadhābun alīm.

    And he who does not find [a slave] - then a fast for two months consecutively1 before they touch one another; and he who is unable - then the feeding of sixty poor persons. That is for you to believe [completely] in Allāh and His Messenger; and those are the limits [set by] Allāh. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. See footnote to 4:92.