231- AND IF YOU DIVORCE WOMEN AND THEY REACH THE END OF THEIR TERM, RETAIN THEM WITH KINDNESS OR LET THEM GO WITH KINDNESS, BUT DO NOT RETAIN THEM TO HURT AND BE UNJUST.  HE WHO DOES THIS HAS BEEN UNJUST TO HIS OWN SELF, AND DO NOT TAKE ALLAH’S AYAHS IN JEST, AND REMEMBER ALLAH’S BOUNTY UPON YOU AND WHAT HE SENT YOU DOWN OF THE BOOK AND THE WISDOM INSTRUCTING YOU WITH.  BE RIGHTEOUS AND GUARD YOURSELVES FROM ALLAH’S DISPLEASURE, AND KNOW THAT ALLAH KNOWS ALL THINGS.

The relationship between married man and woman is a relationship ordained by Allah the Highest to fulfill the purpose it is created for.  This purpose is mentioned in this Ayah “AND OF HIS AYAHS IS THAT HE CREATED FOR YOU FROM YOURSELVES SPOUSES TO INHABIT AND MADE  LOVE AND MERCY BETWEEN YOU, IN THIS THERE ARE SIGNS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO REFLECT”  (S:30 A:21)

What we inhabit we should find rest, comfort, shelter, warmth, tranquility among other things.  This is what Allah the Highest intends marriage to be for both partners. 

Allah the Highest is commanding the men who divorce their wives to reconsider during the time of Edda.  Whether they decide to do will be either; to retain their wives and continue with the marriage or to let them go, should be done with kindness, generosity and good will.  These are the basis for all dealings between husband and wife, and should continue this way even if in case of divorce. 

Retaining a woman in a marriage to hurt and be unjust to her is going against Allah’s Will and Commands.  Whoever goes against Allah’s will, he has done himself an injustice and is being unfair to himself most of all. 

“AND DO NOT TAKE ALLAH’S AYAHS IN JEST”. 

This is a general warning of not taking Allah’s Ayah in jest.  In this context it applies to the following:

1-    Any talk about marriage, divorce, getting back together can not be a subject for jesting.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Three things are serious; whether you are serious about them or not serious; marriage, divorce and returning the wife into the marriage before the end of Edda”.  (Mal:Nekah;56 & D:Talaq;9 & Ma:Talaq;3)

2-    There can not be jesting about the terms agreed for marriage.  One can not promise something, and then says that he was jesting.

3-    A spouse; man or a woman, should never treat these Ayahs lightly and without due respect and consideration. 

Allah the Highest blessed us with His Book and Messenger and guided us to His Faith.  We should treat Allah’s Commands in the Quran with great respect, for they are His will for us.  We should never make them the subject for disrespect or jocks, or jesting.

Allah the Highest reminds us to be righteous and guard ourselves from doing anything which may lead to Allah’s displeasure.  We will notice this reminder and warning repeated a great deal in all the Ayahs related to marriage and divorce throughout the Quran. 

Marriage is a time when people enter into life long agreement to have the most intimate of relationships.  It should be entered into with the best intentions and with obeying Allah’s commands.

Divorce is a time when disputes coupled with anger and other intense emotions may make a person unjust or desires to takes revenge.  This is not what Allah the Highest intended for this relationship, in its start, while running or ending.  Piety is very much needed during these times.

 B: Bukhari   M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi