Waiting Period after Divorce

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.

33:49O ye who believe! If ye wed believing women and divorce them before ye have touched them, then there is no period that ye should reckon. But content them and release them handsomely.

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

2:226Those who forswear their wives must wait four months; then, if they change their mind, lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

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

2:227And if they decide upon divorce (let them remember that) Allah is Hearer, Knower.

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.

2:228Women who are divorced shall wait, keeping themselves apart, three (monthly) courses. And it is not lawful for them that they should conceal that which Allah hath created in their wombs if they are believers in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands would do better to take them back in that case if they desire a reconciliation. And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them. Allah is Mighty, Wise.

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.

65:1O Prophet! When ye (men) put away women, put them away for their (legal) period and reckon the period, and keep your duty to Allah, your Lord. Expel them not from their houses nor let them go forth unless they commit open immorality. Such are the limits (imposed by) Allah; and whoso transgresseth Allah's limits, he verily wrongeth his soul. Thou knowest not: it may be that Allah will afterward bring some new thing to pass.

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.

65:2Then, when they have reached their term, take them back in kindness or part from them in kindness, and call to witness two just men among you, and keep your testimony upright for Allah. Whoso believeth in Allah and the Last Day is exhorted to act thus. And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him,

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.

65:3And will provide for him from (a quarter) whence he hath no expectation. And whosoever putteth his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. Lo! Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah hath set a measure for all things.

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.

65:4And for such of your women as despair of menstruation, if ye doubt, their period (of waiting) shall be three months, along with those who have it not. And for those with child, their period shall be till they bring forth their burden. And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, He maketh his course easy for him.

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.

65:5That is the commandment of Allah which He revealeth unto you. And whoso keepeth his duty to Allah, He will remit from him his evil deeds and magnify reward for him.