Divorce

If a woman fears neglect or estrangement from her husband, reconciliation is better than conflict.

If you fear discord between them, appoint an arbitrator from his family and an arbitrator from hers. If they seek reconciliation, Allah will bring harmony between them.

No matter how much you strive, you will never achieve perfect fairness between wives. But do not lean entirely toward one, leaving the other in uncertainty. If you seek righteousness and remain conscious of Allah.

If separation occurs, Allah will enrich both from His boundless grace, for He is infinitely generous and wise.

Divorce may be pronounced twice, after which the husband must either retain his wife with fairness or release her with kindness. It is not lawful for him to take back anything he has given her, unless both fear that they will not uphold Allah’s limits. If you fear they cannot maintain those limits, then there is no blame if she offers compensation to secure her release. These are the boundaries set by Allah, do not overstep them. Whoever transgresses Allah’s limits is among the wrongdoers."

If a man divorces his wife for the third time, she is no longer lawful for him unless she marries another man and he then divorces her. If that happens, there is no blame if they reunite, provided they believe they can uphold Allah’s limits. These are the boundaries set by Allah, which He makes clear to those who understand.

When you divorce women and they reach the end of their waiting period, either take them back honourably or release them with kindness. Do not hold them back to cause harm or transgress limits, whoever does so wrongs his own soul.

O believers, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before consummation, they do not need to observe a waiting period. Provide for them and release them with kindness.

Those who renounce their wives must wait four months. If they reconcile, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

But if they insist on divorce, then Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

Divorced women must wait three menstrual cycles before remarrying. Their husbands have the right to take them back during this period if they seek reconciliation. Women have rights similar to their obligations, in fairness. But men have a degree of responsibility over them.

O Prophet, when you divorce women, do so with regard for their waiting period, and count it carefully. Be mindful of Allah, your Lord. Do not expel them from their homes, nor should they leave, unless they commit a clear indecency. These are the boundaries set by Allah. Whoever oversteps them has wronged his own soul. You never know, perhaps Allah will bring about a new turn of events.

When they reach the end of their waiting period, either retain them honourably or part with them honourably. Call two just witnesses from among you and uphold the testimony for Allah. This is what is advised for those who believe in Allah and the Last Day. Whoever is mindful of God, He will make a way out for them.

And He will provide for them from where they never expected. Whoever places their trust in God, He is enough for them. Allah will accomplish His purpose. He has set a measure for everything.

As for women who no longer menstruate, if you are uncertain, their waiting period is three months, and the same applies to those who have not yet menstruated. For pregnant women, their term ends with delivery. Whoever is mindful of Allah, He will ease their affairs.

This is God’s command, which He has sent down to you. Whoever is mindful of Allah, He will erase their sins and grant them a great reward.

If you divorce women before consummation or setting a dowry, grant them a fair compensation, the wealthy according to their means, and the less fortunate according to theirs. This is a duty upon the righteous.

If you divorce them after setting a dowry but before consummation, they are entitled to half unless they forgo it or the husband chooses to pay in full. Forgiveness is closer to righteousness. Do not forget kindness between you

For divorced women, a fair provision is due; this is a duty upon the righteous.

If you wish to replace one wife with another, do not take back any of the dowry you have given her, even if it was a great sum. Would you take it unjustly and with clear wrongdoing?

How could you take it back after having been intimate with one another and having made a solemn covenant?

House them where you dwell, according to your means, and do not harass them to make life difficult. If they are pregnant, provide for them until they give birth. If they nurse your child, compensate them, and consult together in kindness. But if you cannot agree, let another woman nurse the child.

Let the wealthy provide according to their means, and let those with limited means give from what Allah has given them. Allah does not burden a soul beyond what He has granted. Allah will bring ease after hardship.

When you divorce women, do not prevent them from remarrying their former husbands if they mutually agree in fairness. This is a command for those who believe in Allah and the Last Day; it is purer and more righteous for you. Allah knows, while you do not know.

Those who declare their wives as forbidden, like their mothers, speak falsely. Their wives are not their mothers; their mothers are only those who bore them. Allah is forgiving and merciful.

Those who make such declarations and then retract must free a slave before touching their wives. This is what you are commanded. Allah is aware of what you do.

If they cannot, then they must fast for two consecutive months before touching their wives. If they are unable, they must feed sixty needy people. This is to affirm your faith in Allah and His Messenger. These are the limits set by Allah, and for the deniers, there is a painful punishment.

God knows what every female carries and what increases or decreases in the womb. Everything is measured with Him.

Mothers may nurse their children for two full years if they wish to complete the nursing period. The father must provide for them fairly, ensuring their sustenance and clothing in a manner befitting kindness. No soul should be burdened beyond its capacity. Neither mother nor father should be harmed because of their child. The same duty applies to the father’s heirs. If both parents, through mutual consultation and agreement, decide to wean the child, there is no blame upon them. If you choose to have your children nursed by someone else, there is no sin, provided you fairly compensate them. Be mindful of Allah, and know that He sees all that you do.

As for elderly women who no longer desire marriage, there is no blame if they lay aside their outer garments, so long as they do not flaunt their beauty. But modest restraint is better for them.

Those who die and leave behind wives, their wives must observe a waiting period of four months and ten days. When they complete their term, there is no blame if they make fair decisions about their future. Allah is aware of what you do.

Those among you who die and leave behind wives should provide for them with a year’s maintenance and residence. But if they choose to leave, there is no blame upon them for what they do within reason.