This is the ninth of the ten short Medina Suras dealing with the social life of the Community. The aspect dealt with here is Divorce, and the necessity of precautions to guard against its abuse. The relations of the sexes are an important factor in the social life of the Community, and this and the following Sura deal with certain aspects of it. "Of all things permitted by Law", said the Prophet, "divorce is the most hateful in the sight of Allah". While the sanctity of marriage is the essential basis of family life, the incompatibility of individuals and the weakness of human nature requires certain outlets and safeguards if that sanctity is not to be made into a fetish at the expense of human life. That is why the question of Divorce is in this Sura linked with the question of insolent impiety and its punishment.
The date is somewhere about A.H. 6, but the chronology has no significance.
Summary. -- Provision to be made for women in case of Divorce; insolent impiety always leads to punishment. (Verses 1 to 12 and commentary C.244).
C.244-(Verses 1 to 12)-Guard well your truth and pure integrity in sex relations. Keep the tie of marriage sacred: But where it must be dissolved, use all precautions to ensure justice to the weaker party and protect the interests of unborn or new born lives as well as social decency; and close not to the last door of reconciliation. Allah's Laws must be obeyed: 'Tis man's own loss if he is deaf to the Voice which teaches him, or blind to the Light which guides him. Allah's universe of beauty and wonder stands strong in wisdom: Let man but tune himself thereto.
65:1 SURA 65. Talaq, or Divorce. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. O Prophet! When ye do divorce women, divorce them at their prescribed periods, and count (accurately) there prescribed periods: And fear Allah your Lord: And turn them not out of their houses, nor shall they (themselves) leave, except in case they are guilty of some open lewdness, those are limits set by Allah: And any who transgresses the limits of Allah, does verily wrong his (own) soul: Thou knowest not if perchance Allah will bring about thereafter some new situation.
65:2 Thus when they fulfill their term appointed, either take them back on equitable terms or part with them on equitable terms; and take for witness two persons from among you, endued with justice, and establish the evidence (as) before Allah. Such is the admonition given to him who believes in Allah and the Last Day. And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out,
65:3 And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.
65:4 Such of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the prescribed period, if ye have any doubts, is three months, and for those who have no courses (it is the same): For those who carry (life within their wombs), their period is until they deliver their burdens: And for those who fear Allah, He will make their path easy.
65:5 That is the Command of Allah, which He has sent down to you: And if anyone fears Allah, He will remove his ills from him, and will enlarge his reward.
65:6 Let the women live (in iddat) in the same style as ye live, according to your means: Annoy them not, so as to restrict them. And if they carry (life in their wombs), then spend (your substance) on them until they deliver their burden: And if they suckle your (offspring), give them their recompense: And take mutual counsel together, according to what is just and reasonable. And if ye find yourselves in difficulties, let another woman suckle (the child) on the (father's) behalf.
65:7 Let the man of means spend according to his means: And the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.
65:8 Section 2. How many populations that insolently opposed the command of their Lord and of His apostles, did We not then call to account, -- to severe account? -- And We imposed on them an exemplary Punishment.
65:9 Then did they taste the evil result of their conduct, and the End of their conduct was Perdition.
65:10 Allah has prepared for them a severe Punishment (in the Hereafter). Therefore fear Allah, O ye men of understanding -- who have believed! -- For Allah hath indeed sent down to you a Message, --
65:11 An Apostle, who rehearses to you the Signs of Allah containing clear explanations, that he may lead forth those who believe and do righteous deeds from the depths of Darkness into Light. And those who believe in Allah and work righteousness, He will admit to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein forever: Allah has indeed granted for them a most excellent provision.
65:12 Allah is He Who created seven Firmaments and of the earth a similar number. Through the midst of them (all) descends His Command: That ye may know that Allah has power over all things, and that Allah comprehends all things in (His) Knowledge.
