The Noble Qur'an Encyclopedia

O Prophet, when you [believers] divorce women, divorce them with concern to their waiting period and keep an accurate count of the waiting period[1], and fear Allah, your Lord. Do not force them out of their houses, nor should they leave unless they commit a clear shameful act. Such are the limits ordained by Allah. Whoever transgresses the limits ordained by Allah has truly wronged himself. You never know, perhaps Allah will bring about a change [of heart] later[2].

Then when they have approached the end of their waiting period, either retain them honorably or part with them honorably[3]. Call two just men from among yourselves as witnesses, and give true testimony for the sake of Allah. This is an exhortation for those who believe in Allah and the Last Day. Whoever fears Allah, He will make a way out for him[4],

and He will provide for him from where he does not expect. Whoever puts his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will surely accomplish His purpose, for Allah has set a destiny for everything.

As for those women from among you who reached their menopause, in case you doubt, their waiting period is three months, as well as of those who have not yet menstruated. As for pregnant women, their waiting period ends with delivery[5]. And whoever fears Allah, He will make his matters easy for him.

This is the commandment of Allah that He has sent down to you. Whoever fears Allah, He will absolve him of his bad deeds and will reward him immensely.

Let them live where you live [during their waiting period], according to your means, and do not harass them to make their stay unbearable[6]. If they are pregnant, maintain them until they deliver, and if they suckle your child, compensate them, and graciously settle the question of compensation by mutual understanding. But if you fail to reach an agreement, then another woman may suckle the child.

Let the wealthy man spend according to his means. As for the one with limited resources, he should spend according to whatever Allah has given him. Allah does not burden any soul beyond what He has given him. Allah will bring about ease after hardship.

And [imagine] how many towns rebelled against the commandments of their Lord and His messengers, so We called them to a severe account and punished them with a horrendous punishment.

Thus they tasted the evil consequence of their deeds, and the outcome of their deeds was a total loss.

Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment. So fear Allah O people of understanding who have faith. Allah has sent down to you a Reminder[7],

a Messenger who recites to you the clear verses of Allah, so that He may bring those who believe and do righteous deeds out of the depths of darkness into the light. Whoever believes in Allah and does righteous deeds, He will admit him to gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Allah has prepared for him a good provision.

Allah is the One who has created seven heavens, and likewise for the earth[8]. The Command descends between them so that you may know that Allah is Most Capable of all things and that Allah has encompassed everything in knowledge.