Al-Baqarah · Madani · ayah 228 of 286

Al-Baqarah 2:228

وَٱلْمُطَلَّقَـٰتُ يَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ ثَلَـٰثَةَ قُرُوٓءٍ ۚ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَهُنَّ أَن يَكْتُمْنَ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ فِىٓ أَرْحَامِهِنَّ إِن كُنَّ يُؤْمِنَّ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۚ وَبُعُولَتُهُنَّ أَحَقُّ بِرَدِّهِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ إِنْ أَرَادُوٓا۟ إِصْلَـٰحًا ۚ وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَيْهِنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

“Divorced women remain in waiting [i.e., do not remarry] for three periods,[86] and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allāh has created in their wombs if they believe in Allāh and the Last Day. And their husbands have more right to take them back in this [period] if they want reconciliation.[87] And due to them [i.e., the wives] is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable.[88] But the men [i.e., husbands] have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. And Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.”

Saheeh International

Essence

After divorce comes a waiting that protects everyone, honesty where no one can check, return only for repair, and rights that run both ways.

A reflection

Everyone else in the room

When a marriage ends, two lists often appear on the kitchen table. His list of what he is owed. Her list of what she is owed. Neither list has a line for anyone else.

The ayah ends: 'And Allah is Mighty, Wise'. A modern commentary explains: Mighty, with an honour no one overcomes; Wise, placing everything in its proper place. In a separation, each person wants to win. The ayah sets rules that stand above both of them, and no one can bargain them away.

A classical scholar of the heart lists who the waiting period protects. It protects the right of Allah: obedience to His command. It gives the husband time to reconsider and return. It gives the wife maintenance and a home while it lasts. It protects the child, so that lineage is clear. It even protects a future husband, who should enter a new marriage knowing where he stands.

One short phrase, 'three periods', holds five sets of rights at once. Two angry people at a kitchen table would never design that. It is the wisdom of the One who sees everyone involved, including people not yet born.

The ego shrinks here. In our pain we think the story is about two people. Allah reminds us it never was. There are others in the room, and He is watching over all of them.

Does He need to tell us that He is Mighty and Wise? No; He is the Free of need (35:15). We need to hear it, especially when we are certain our own list is the only one that matters.

The full entry has 6 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.