At-Talaq · Madani · ayah 2 of 12

At-Talaq 65:2

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

“And when they have [nearly] fulfilled their term, either retain them according to acceptable terms or part with them according to acceptable terms. And bring to witness two just men from among you and establish the testimony for [the acceptance of] Allāh. That is instructed to whoever should believe in Allāh and the Last Day. And whoever fears Allāh - He will make for him a way out[1699]”

Saheeh International

Essence

The best-loved promise of a way out was first spoken to a couple ending a marriage, and keeping His limits keeps the exit open.

A reflection

A promise born inside a divorce

Few lines are quoted more often in hard times than this one. Whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for him. It is written on cards, sent in messages, said to people who have lost a job or a child.

Read in its place, it begins somewhere else. The ayah opens with a couple near the end of a waiting period after a divorce. Either keep her in honour or part from her in honour. Call two just witnesses. Give the testimony for Allah. Only then does it say: that is an admonition for whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day.

The word is yūʿaẓu, from the root of heartfelt counsel. The rules of an ending marriage are not filed under paperwork. They are called a sermon.

The early commentators read the promise first in that setting. Whoever ends a marriage the way Allah taught keeps a way back open while the waiting lasts, and an honourable path if it closes. One classical commentary then widens it. The promise reaches every narrow place in this world and the next, and that wider reading is preferred because its benefit is general.

Another adds a quiet observation. The promise to the mindful is repeated and varied through this short surah. Divorce needs more taqwa than most matters, because it breaks a closeness that took years to build.

So the line belongs to everyone. But it was first spoken to two people standing in the wreckage of a home.

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.