BRIEF INTRODUCTION:

This chapter having two sections twelve verses, two hundred forty nine words and one thousand sixty letters was revealed at Madina.

The chapter mainly deals with certain rules regarding divorce. The laws regarding divorce have already been discussed in chapter 2. Some of the problems not discussed in chapter 2 have been cleared in the chapter. In fact the permission of divorce has been given in dire necessity when there might not be any possibility for husband and wife to live together. The chapter gives direction to keep in view the prescribed period (Iddat) while divorcing in Islam giving divorce is not appreciable so various conditions have been put before pronouncing divorce.

It has been emphasized that the believers should act according to the direction given, otherwise they will purchase anger of God. Those who act according to the dictates of Allah and His Messenger, they would be counted as pious and God feary before Allah. Allah opens His way for such people and provides them from such places that one cannot imagine.

In the end the chapter warns the opponents of their evil and temble end.

SURAH AL-TALAQ (The Divorce)
Revealed at Madina. 2 Sections. 12 Verses.

Allah, in the name of the Most Affectionate, the Merciful.

SECTION 1:

1. O Prophet! When you people divorce your women, then divorce them at the time of their prescribed periods and count the prescribed period, and fear Allah, your Lord. Turn them not out of their houses during prescribed period, nor should they themselves go out, unless they are involved in any flagrant indecency; These are the limits of Allah, and whoso crossed the limits of Allah, undoubtedly, he did injustice to his own soul. You know not that perhaps Allah may send any new commandment after it.

2. Then, when they are about to reach their term, retain them with kindness or part from them with kindness and take two just persons as witnesses from among you and set up witness for Allah. By this, he who believes in Allah and Last Day is admonished. And he who fears Allah, Allah will make a way for his deliverance.

3. And will provide for him whence he expects not. And he who puts his trust in Allah He is sufficient for him. Verily, Allah is to fulfil His work. Undoubtedly, Allah has kept a measure for every thing.

4. And as to your women who have no hope of menstruation; if you are in doubt, then their prescribed period is three months, and for those who have not yet menstruated. And the period of the pregnant women is when they give birth to children. And whose fears Allah, Allah will make his work easy.

5. This is the Commandment of Allah that He has sent towards you. And whoso fears Allah, Allah will put off his evils and will give him immense reward.

6. Make the women to dwell where you yourselves dwell according to your means, and do not harm them so as to straiten them. And if they are pregnant, then give them their maintenance till they give birth to children, And if they suckle children for you, give them their wages and consult together reasonably. But if you mutually disagree then soon he (father) will get another woman for sucking.

7. Let the man of means provide according to his means. And as for him, upon whom his provision has been straitened, let him give the maintenance of what Allah has given him. Allah burdens no soul but to the extent of what He has given him it is near the Allah will bring about ease after hardship.

8. And how many a city rebelled against the Commandments of its Lord and His Messengers then We took a severe account from it, and gave it a horrible punishment.

9. Therefore it tasted the mischief of its actions, and the end of its affair was loss.

10. Allah has already prepared for them a severe torment; therefore fear Allah, O men of understanding! Those who have believed. Undoubtedly, Allah has sent down for you an honour

11. The Messenger who recites unto you the bright signs of Allah, so that he may bring forth those who believe and do-good deeds from the darkness into light. And whoso believes in Allah and does good deeds He will make him enter gardens beneath which streams flow, to abide therein forever. Undoubtedly, Allah has made good provision for him.

12. Allah is, it is He, who made seven heavens, and of the earth their like; the commandment comes down in their midst, so that you may know that Allah can do everything, and the knowledge of Allah encompasses everything.