سُوْرَةُ النِّسَآءِ
Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 35
وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ شِقَاقَ بَيْنِهِمَا فَٱبْعَثُوا۟ حَكَمًا مِّنْ أَهْلِهِۦ وَحَكَمًا مِّنْ أَهْلِهَآ إِن يُرِيدَآ إِصْلَـٰحًا يُوَفِّقِ ٱللَّهُ بَيْنَهُمَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا خَبِيرًا ﴿35﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
If you fear a breach between them twain (the man and his wife), appoint (two) arbitrators, one from his family and the other from her’s; if they both wish for peace, Allâh will cause their reconciliation. Indeed Allâh is Ever All-Knower, Well-Acquainted with all things.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِنْ
wa-in
And if
خِفْتُمْ
khif'tum
you fear
شِقَاقَ
shiqāqa
a dissension
بَيْنِهِمَا
baynihimā
between (the) two of them
فَٱبْعَثُوا۟
fa-ib'ʿathū
then send
حَكَمًۭا
ḥakaman
an arbitrator
مِّنْ
min
from
أَهْلِهِۦ
ahlihi
his family
وَحَكَمًۭا
waḥakaman
and an arbitrator
مِّنْ
min
from
أَهْلِهَآ
ahlihā
her family
إِن
in
If
يُرِيدَآ
yurīdā
they both wish
إِصْلَـٰحًۭا
iṣ'lāḥan
reconciliation
يُوَفِّقِ
yuwaffiqi
will cause reconciliation
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah
بَيْنَهُمَآ ۗ
baynahumā
between both of them
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
كَانَ
kāna
is
عَلِيمًا
ʿalīman
All-Knower
خَبِيرًۭا
khabīran
All-Aware
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 35) {وَ اِنْ خِفْتُمْ شِقَاقَ بَيْنِهِمَا …:} Previously, only the woman’s rebellion was mentioned. Now, if mutual dislike and opposition arise from both sides and there is fear of separation, the authority should appoint one wise person from each of the husband’s and wife’s families as arbiters (judges or mediators). If both of them are sincere in making peace, Allah will create harmony between them. If reconciliation is not possible, do they have the authority to decide on separation or not? Some scholars have said that if both the husband and wife give the arbiters the authority to reconcile or separate, saying, “Whatever decision you make, we will accept,” then the arbiters have the authority to decide on separation as well. Others have said that if the authority who appointed the arbiters gives them the power to decide both reconciliation and separation, then they have the authority to decide on separation; otherwise, they do not. However, the majority of scholars say that the very purpose of appointing arbiters is that, after reviewing the matters of both parties, whatever decision the arbiters make regarding reconciliation or separation will be enforced. There is no need for the husband and wife or the authority to give them separate permission. The Holy Qur’an places greater emphasis on efforts to bring about reconciliation.
