سُوْرَةُ الطَّلَاقِ
Surah At-Talaaq (65) — Ayah 2
فَإِذَا بَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ فَارِقُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ وَأَشْهِدُوا۟ ذَوَىْ عَدْلٍ مِّنكُمْ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلشَّهَـٰدَةَ لِلَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ يُوعَظُ بِهِۦ مَن كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًا ﴿2﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Then when they are about to attain their term appointed, either take them back in a good manner or part with them in a good manner. And take as witness two just persons from among you (Muslims). And establish the testimony for Allâh. That will be an admonition given to him who believes in Allâh and the Last Day. And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَإِذَا
fa-idhā
Then when
بَلَغْنَ
balaghna
they have reached
أَجَلَهُنَّ
ajalahunna
their term
فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ
fa-amsikūhunna
then retain them
بِمَعْرُوفٍ
bimaʿrūfin
with kindness
أَوْ
aw
or
فَارِقُوهُنَّ
fāriqūhunna
part with them
بِمَعْرُوفٍۢ
bimaʿrūfin
with kindness
وَأَشْهِدُوا۟
wa-ashhidū
And take witness
ذَوَىْ
dhaway
two men
عَدْلٍۢ
ʿadlin
just
مِّنكُمْ
minkum
among you
وَأَقِيمُوا۟
wa-aqīmū
and establish
ٱلشَّهَـٰدَةَ
l-shahādata
the testimony
لِلَّهِ ۚ
lillahi
for Allah
ذَٰلِكُمْ
dhālikum
That
يُوعَظُ
yūʿaẓu
is instructed
بِهِۦ
bihi
with it
مَن
man
whoever
كَانَ
kāna
[is]
يُؤْمِنُ
yu'minu
believes
بِٱللَّهِ
bil-lahi
in Allah
وَٱلْيَوْمِ
wal-yawmi
and the Day
ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۚ
l-ākhiri
the Last
وَمَن
waman
And whoever
يَتَّقِ
yattaqi
fears
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
يَجْعَل
yajʿal
He will make
لَّهُۥ
lahu
for him
مَخْرَجًۭا
makhrajan
a way out
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
2. Then, when they have reached the end of their waiting period, either retain them in a fair manner [7] or release them in a fair manner. And take two just [8] witnesses from among yourselves, and bear witness for Allah with justice [9]. This is the advice given to whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day [10]. And whoever fears Allah, He will make a way out [11] for him.
[7]
The Plight of Women Regarding Divorce in the Age of Ignorance:
That is, when the waiting period (‘iddah) of your divorced wife in your house is about to end, then you have two options before you: one is that if you definitely want to leave them, then fulfill all their rights and, in addition, treat them generously and give them something more according to your capacity. Do not make any accusations against her as she leaves, nor cause her any kind of pain. Rather, despite any grievances, bid farewell to your life partner like decent and noble people. And if you want to keep her settled in your house, then take her back. In this matter, your intention should be good and you should truly intend to keep that woman settled. It should not be that you take her back just to inflict further punishment on your wife and keep her with you for that purpose. By giving this command, Allah Almighty put an end to the countless oppressions inflicted upon women in the age of ignorance. Imam Tirmidhi has described this painful condition of women as follows: Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that a man would give as many divorces as he wished to his wives and then take them back during the ‘iddah. Even if that man gave a hundred or more divorces, he would continue to do so. Until one (Ansari) man said to his wife: “By Allah! I will neither divorce you so that you can separate from me, nor will I keep you settled.” The woman asked, “How is that?” He said: “I will divorce you, and when your ‘iddah is about to end, I will take you back.” Hearing this, the woman went to Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) and told her of her plight. Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) remained silent until the Messenger of Allah ﷺ arrived. Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated the incident to him, and he too remained silent until the Quran (this verse) was revealed: “Divorce is only twice, then either keep them in a good manner or release them with kindness.” [ترمذی۔ ابو اب الطلاق واللعان۔ باب بلا عنوان]
[8]
The Benefit of Appointing Witnesses for Revocation and Divorce:
That is, if you have taken her back and kept her with you, then also appoint two reliable witnesses so that later the spouses are not accused. And if you are to release her, then also appoint witnesses. It should be clear that this witnessing is not a condition for revocation and divorce, such that if witnesses are not appointed, the revocation and divorce would be ineffective and not take place. Rather, this command is given as a precaution so that later no party can deny any incident and, in case of dispute, a decision can be easily made and the door to doubts and suspicions is closed.
[9] That is, if after release or revocation a dispute arises between the parties regarding any matter, the witnesses should never act with partiality, nor speak ambiguously, nor act with deception, but rather give clear and straightforward truthful testimony.
[10]
Moral Instructions Regarding Divorce:
That is, these instructions are for your own welfare and are in the nature of advice and admonition. They do not have the status of law. That is, if a person divorces his wife during menstruation or in a period of purity in which he has had intercourse, then although he has acted against the Sunnah and committed a sin, the divorce will still take effect. Similarly, if he has revoked only to cause distress, this revocation will also be legally accepted. Or if, at the time of release, instead of treating her well, he throws her out harshly, even then there will be no doubt about the occurrence of divorce. These instructions are for the person who believes in Allah and the Hereafter and fears Allah. He will act upon them because it is a requirement of his faith, and also because disobeying these commands will result in questioning and accountability in the Hereafter.
[11] Domestic issues, and especially the relationship between husband and wife, sometimes become so complicated that the more a person tries to resolve them, the more complicated and entangled they become. In such distressing circumstances, a person’s approach should be that whatever he does, he should do it fearing Allah. If clear commands exist, he should act upon them, and if clear commands are not found, then he should make the fear of Allah his guiding light, try to ascertain Allah’s will, and act upon it, entrusting the outcome to Allah. It is Allah’s work to bring one out of these complicated situations and grant deliverance from them. He Himself will make one understand a way out or create a new path.
[7]
The Plight of Women Regarding Divorce in the Age of Ignorance:
That is, when the waiting period (‘iddah) of your divorced wife in your house is about to end, then you have two options before you: one is that if you definitely want to leave them, then fulfill all their rights and, in addition, treat them generously and give them something more according to your capacity. Do not make any accusations against her as she leaves, nor cause her any kind of pain. Rather, despite any grievances, bid farewell to your life partner like decent and noble people. And if you want to keep her settled in your house, then take her back. In this matter, your intention should be good and you should truly intend to keep that woman settled. It should not be that you take her back just to inflict further punishment on your wife and keep her with you for that purpose. By giving this command, Allah Almighty put an end to the countless oppressions inflicted upon women in the age of ignorance. Imam Tirmidhi has described this painful condition of women as follows: Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that a man would give as many divorces as he wished to his wives and then take them back during the ‘iddah. Even if that man gave a hundred or more divorces, he would continue to do so. Until one (Ansari) man said to his wife: “By Allah! I will neither divorce you so that you can separate from me, nor will I keep you settled.” The woman asked, “How is that?” He said: “I will divorce you, and when your ‘iddah is about to end, I will take you back.” Hearing this, the woman went to Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) and told her of her plight. Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) remained silent until the Messenger of Allah ﷺ arrived. Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated the incident to him, and he too remained silent until the Quran (this verse) was revealed: “Divorce is only twice, then either keep them in a good manner or release them with kindness.” [ترمذی۔ ابو اب الطلاق واللعان۔ باب بلا عنوان]
[8]
The Benefit of Appointing Witnesses for Revocation and Divorce:
That is, if you have taken her back and kept her with you, then also appoint two reliable witnesses so that later the spouses are not accused. And if you are to release her, then also appoint witnesses. It should be clear that this witnessing is not a condition for revocation and divorce, such that if witnesses are not appointed, the revocation and divorce would be ineffective and not take place. Rather, this command is given as a precaution so that later no party can deny any incident and, in case of dispute, a decision can be easily made and the door to doubts and suspicions is closed.
[9] That is, if after release or revocation a dispute arises between the parties regarding any matter, the witnesses should never act with partiality, nor speak ambiguously, nor act with deception, but rather give clear and straightforward truthful testimony.
[10]
Moral Instructions Regarding Divorce:
That is, these instructions are for your own welfare and are in the nature of advice and admonition. They do not have the status of law. That is, if a person divorces his wife during menstruation or in a period of purity in which he has had intercourse, then although he has acted against the Sunnah and committed a sin, the divorce will still take effect. Similarly, if he has revoked only to cause distress, this revocation will also be legally accepted. Or if, at the time of release, instead of treating her well, he throws her out harshly, even then there will be no doubt about the occurrence of divorce. These instructions are for the person who believes in Allah and the Hereafter and fears Allah. He will act upon them because it is a requirement of his faith, and also because disobeying these commands will result in questioning and accountability in the Hereafter.
[11] Domestic issues, and especially the relationship between husband and wife, sometimes become so complicated that the more a person tries to resolve them, the more complicated and entangled they become. In such distressing circumstances, a person’s approach should be that whatever he does, he should do it fearing Allah. If clear commands exist, he should act upon them, and if clear commands are not found, then he should make the fear of Allah his guiding light, try to ascertain Allah’s will, and act upon it, entrusting the outcome to Allah. It is Allah’s work to bring one out of these complicated situations and grant deliverance from them. He Himself will make one understand a way out or create a new path.
