Surah Baqarah Ayat 230 in Arabic Text
English Translation
Here you can read various translations of verse 230
And if he has divorced her [for the third time], then she is not lawful to him afterward until [after] she marries a husband other than him. And if the latter husband divorces her [or dies], there is no blame upon the woman and her former husband for returning to each other if they think that they can keep [within] the limits of Allah. These are the limits of Allah, which He makes clear to a people who know.
“So if a husband divorces his wife (irrevocably), He cannot, after that, re-marry her until after she has married another husband and He has divorced her. In that case there is no blame on either of them if they re-unite, provided they feel that they can keep the limits ordained by Allah. Such are the limits ordained by Allah, which He makes plain to those who understand.
And if the husband divorces his wife (for the third time), she shall not remain his lawful wife after this (absolute) divorce, unless she marries another husband and the second husband divorces her. (In that case) there is no harm if they re-marry, provided that the woman and her first husband are convinced that they will be able to keep within the bounds fixed by Allah. And these are Allah’s bounds, which He makes clear for the guidance of those who know (the consequences of transgression).
And if he has divorced her (the third time), then she is not lawful unto him thereafter until she has married another husband. Then, if the other husband divorces her, it is no sin on both of them that they reunite, provided they feel that they can keep the limits ordained by Allah. These are the limits of Allah, which He makes plain for the people who have knowledge.
And if he hath divorced her (the third time), then she is not lawful unto him thereafter until she hath wedded another husband. Then if he (the other husband) divorce her it is no sin for both of them that they come together again if they consider that they are able to observe the limits of Allah. These are the limits of Allah. He manifesteth them for people who have knowledge.
Yet in case he has divorced her (finally), then she shall not be lawful to him ever after till she marries another spouse. So in case he (the other husband) has divorced her, then there is no fault in them (both) to return to each other, in case they expect that they will keep within (Literally: Keep up) the bounds of Allah. And those are the bounds of Allah; He makes them evident to people who know.
If a husband re-divorces his wife after the second divorce, she will not be lawful for him until she has taken another husband; if that one divorces her, there will be no blame if she and the first husband return to one another, provided they feel that they can keep within the bounds set by God. These are God’s bounds, which He makes clear for those who know.
پھر اگر اس کو (تیسری بار) طلاق دے دے تو اب اس کے لئے حلال نہیں جب تک وه عورت اس کے سوا دوسرے سے نکاح نہ کرے، پھر اگر وه بھی طلاق دے دے تو ان دونوں کو میل جول کرلینے میں کوئی گناه نہیں بشرطیکہ یہ جان لیں کہ اللہ کی حدوں کو قائم رکھ سکیں گے، یہ اللہ تعالیٰ کی حدود ہیں جنہیں وه جاننے والوں کے لئے بیان فرما رہا ہے۔
Quran 2 Verse 230 Explanation
For those looking for commentary to help with the understanding of Surah Baqarah ayat 230, we’ve provided two Tafseer works below. The first is the tafseer of Abul Ala Maududi, the second is of Ibn Kathir.
Ala-Maududi
(2:230) Then, if he divorces her (for the third time, after having pronounced the divorce twice), she shall not be lawful to him unless she first takes another man for a husband, and he divorces her.[253] There is no blame upon them if both of them return to one another thereafter, provided they think that they will be able to keep within the bounds set by Allah. These are the bounds of Allah which He makes clear to a people who have knowledge (of the consequences of violating those bounds).
253. It is known from authentic Traditions that it is totally illegitimate for a person to arrange the marriage of his divorced wife with someone else on the understanding that the latter will divorce her to make it possible for the former husband to recontract marriage with that woman. Such trickery would in fact be an act of sheer sexual corruption and would not render the woman liable to remarriage with her former husband. According to a Tradition transmitted from ‘Ali, Ibn Mas’ud, Abu Hurayrah and ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir, the Prophet pronounced his curse on those who arrange, as well as on those who agree to contract, such fictitious marriages. (See Muslim. ‘Talaq’, l5, 71; Nasa’i, ‘Talaq’, 8; Ahmad b. Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 1, P. 314 and vol. 5, p. 334; Al-Muwatta’, ‘Talaq’, 27; Abu Da’ud. ‘Talaq’. 10 – Ed.)
Ibn-Kathir
229. The divorce is twice, after that either you retain her on reasonable terms or release her with kindness. And it is not lawful for you (men) to take back (from your wives) any of what you gave them (the Mahr, bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah (e.g., to deal with each other on a fair basis). Then if you fear that they would not be able to keep the limits ordained by Allah, then there is no sin on either of them if she gives back (the Mahr or a part of it). These are the limits ordained by Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits ordained by Allah, then such are the wrongdoers. 230. And if he has divorced her (the third time), then she is not lawful unto him thereafter until she has married another husband. Then, if the other husband divorces her, it is no sin on both of them that they reunite, provided they feel that they can keep the limits ordained by Allah. These are the limits of Allah, which He makes plain for the people who have knowledge.
This honorable Ayah abrogated the previous practice in the beginning of Islam, when the man had the right to take back his divorced wife even if he had divorced her a hundred times, as long as she was still in her `Iddah (waiting period). This situation was harmful for the wife, and this is why Allah made the divorce thrice, where the husband is allowed to take back his wife after the first and the second divorce (as long as she is still in her `Iddah). The divorce becomes irrevocable after the third divorce, as Allah said:
(The divorce is twice, after that, either you retain her on reasonable terms or release her with kindness.)
In his Sunan, Abu Dawud reported in Chapter: “Taking the Wife back after the third (Divorce) is an abrogated practice,” that Ibn `Abbas commented on the Ayah:
(And divorced women shall wait (as regards their marriage) for three menstrual periods, and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs,) (2:228) The man used to have the right to take back his wife even if he had divorced her thrice. Allah abrogated this and said:
(The divorce is twice.)
This Hadith was also collected by An-Nasa’i. Ibn Abu Hatim reported that `Urwah said that a man said to his wife, “I will neither divorce you nor take you back.” She said, “How” He said, “I will divorce you and when your term of `Iddah nears its end, I will take you back.” She went to Allah’s Messenger and told him what happened, and Allah revealed:
(The divorce is twice.)
Ibn Jarir (At-Tabari) also reported this Hadith in his Tafsir.
Allah said:
(…after that, either you retain her on reasonable terms or release her with kindness.) meaning, `If you divorce her once or twice, you have the choice to take her back, as long as she is still in her `Iddah, intending to be kind to her and to mend differences. Otherwise, await the end of her term of `Iddah, when the divorce becomes final, and let her go her own way in peace, without committing any harm or injustice against her.’ `Ali bin Abu Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, “When the man divorces his wife twice, let him fear Allah, regarding the third time. He should either keep her with him and treat her with kindness, or let her go her own way with kindness, without infringing upon any of her rights.”
Allah said:
(And it is not lawful for you (men) to take back (from your wives) any of (the dowry) what you gave them,) meaning, you are not allowed to bother or pressure your wives to end this situation by giving you back the Mahr and any gifts that you have given them (in return for divorce). Similarly, Allah said:
(…and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of what you have given them, unless they commit open illegal sexual intercourse.) (4:19)
However, if the wife willingly gives back anything with a good heart, then Allah said regarding this situation:
(…but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it, and enjoy it without fear of any harm.) (4:4)
When the spouses have irreconcilable differences wherein the wife ignores the rights of the husband, dislikes him and becomes unable to live with him any longer, she is allowed to free herself (from married life) by giving him back what he had given her (in gifts and Mahr). There is no sin on her in this case nor on him if he accepts such offer. This is why Allah said:
(And it is not lawful for you (men) to take back (from your wives) any of what you gave them, except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah (e.g., to deal with each other on a fair basis). Then if you fear that they would not be able to keep the limits ordained by Allah, then there is no sin on either of them if she gives back.)
Sometimes, the woman has no valid reason and she still asks for her marriage to be ended. In this case, Ibn Jarir reported that Thawban said that Allah’s Messenger said:
(Any woman who asks her husband for divorce without justification, then the scent of Paradise will be forbidden for her.)
At-Tirmidhi recorded this Hadith and stated that it is Hasan.
Ibn Jarir said that the Ayah (2:229) was revealed about Thabit bin Qays bin Shammas and his wife Habibah bint `Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul. In his Muwatta’, Imam Malik reported that Habibah bint Sahl Al-Ansariyah was married to Thabit bin Qays bin Shammas and that Allah’s Messenger once went to the Fajr (Dawn) prayer and found Habibah bint Sahl by his door in the dark. Allah’s Messenger said, “Who is this” She said, “I am Habibah bint Sahl, O Messenger of Allah!” He said, “What is the matter” She said, “I and Thabit bin Qays”, meaning, (she can no longer be with) her husband. When her husband Thabit bin Qays came, Allah’s Messenger said to him:
(This is Habibah bint Sahl, she said what Allah has permitted her to say.)
Habibah also said, “O Messenger of Allah! I still have everything he gave me.” Allah’s Messenger said:
(Take it from her.) So, he took it from her and she remained in her family’s house.”
This was reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and An-Nasai.
Al-Bukhari reported that Ibn `Abbas said that the wife of Thabit bin Qays bin Shammas came to the Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allah! I do not criticize his religion or mannerism. But I hate committing Kufr in Islam (by ignoring his rights on her).” Allah’s Messenger said:
؟
(Will you give him back his garden)
She said, “Yes.” Allah’s Messenger said:
(Take back the garden and divorce her once. )
An-Nasa’i also recorded it.
At-Tirmidhi reported that Rubayi` bint Mu`awwidh bin `Afra’ got a Khul` during the time of Allah’s Messenger and the Prophet ordered her to wait for one menstruation period for `Iddah.
Allah said:
(These are the limits ordained by Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits ordained by Allah, then such are the wrongdoers.)
This means that the laws that Allah has legislated are His set limits, so do not transgress them. An authentic Hadith states:
(Allah has set some limits, so do not transgress them; and commanded some commands, so do not ignore them; and made some things unlawful, so do not commit them. He has also left some matters (without rulings) as a mercy with you, not because He has forgotten them, so do not ask about them.)
The last Ayah we mentioned was used as evidence to prove that it is not allowed to pronounce three divorces at one time. What further proves this ruling is that Mahmud bin Labid has stated – as An-Nasa’i recorded – that Allah’s Messenger was told about a man who pronounced three divorces on his wife at one time, so the Prophet stood up while angry and said:
؟
(The Book of Allah is being made the subject of jest while I am still amongst you)
A man then stood up and said, “Should I kill that man, O Messenger of Allah”
Allah said:
(And if he has divorced her (the third time), then she is not lawful for him thereafter until she has married another husband.)
This Ayah indicates that if the man divorces his wife for the third time after he divorced her twice, then she will no longer be allowed for marriage to him. Allah said:
(…until she has married another husband.) meaning, until she legally marries another man. For instance, if she has sexual intercourse with any man, even her master (if she was a servant), she would still be ineligible for marriage for her ex-husband (who divorced her thrice), because whomever she had sexual relations with was not her legal husband. If she marries a man without consummating the marriage, she will not be eligible for her ex-husband. Muslim reported that `A’ishah said that Allah’s Messenger was asked about a woman who marries a man who thereafter divorces her (thrice). She then marries another man and he divorces her before he has sexual relations with her, would she be allowed for her first husband Allah’s Messenger said:
(No, until he enjoys her `Usaylah (sexual relation).) Al-Bukhari also reported this Hadith.
Imam Ahmad recorded that `A’ishah said, “The wife of Rifa`ah Al-Qurazi came while I and Abu Bakr were with the Prophet and she said, `I was Rifa`ah’s wife, but he divorced me and it was an irrevocable divorce. Then I married `Abdur-Rahman bin Az-Zubayr, but his sexual organ is minute like a string.’ She then took a small string of her garment (to resemble how small his sexual organ was). Khalid bin Sa`id bin Al-`As, who was next to the door and was not yet allowed in, said, `O Abu Bakr! Why do you not forbid this (woman) from what she is revealing frankly before the Prophet’ The Prophet merely smiled. Then, Allah’s Messenger asked her: c
(Do you want to remarry Rifa`ah You cannot unless you experience his `Usaylah and he experiences your `Usaylah (i.e., had a complete sexual relation with your present husband).)”
Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and An-Nasa’i also recorded this Hadith. Muslim’s wording is “Rifa`ah divorced his wife for the third and final time.”
The word `Usaylah mentioned in the Hadith means sexual intercourse. Imam Ahmad and An-Nasa’i reported that `A’ishah said that Allah’s Messenger said:
(`Usaylah is sexual intercourse.)
The reason for the woman (who was divorced thrice) to marry another man must be that the man desires her and has the intention of having an extended married life with her. These are the legal goals and aims behind marriage. If the reason behind the second marriage was to make the woman eligible for her ex-husband again, then this is the Tahlil that the Hadiths have cursed and criticized. In addition, when the reason behind this marriage (if it was Tahlil) is announced in the contract, it would make the contract invalid according to the majority of the scholars.
Imam Ahmad reported that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, “Allah’s Messenger cursed the one who does Tahlil, the one in whose favor it is done, those who eat Riba (usury) and those who feed it (pay the usury).” At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i reported this Hadith and At-Tirmidhi said, “This Hadith is Hasan.” He said, “This is what is acted upon according to people of knowledge among the Companions, among whom are `Umar, `Uthman and Ibn `Umar. It was also the saying of the scholars of Fiqh among the Tabi`in (second generation of Islam). And it has been reported from `Ali, Ibn Mas`ud and Ibn `Abbas”.
In his Mustadrak, Al-Hakim reported that Nafi` said: “A man came to Ibn `Umar and asked him about a man who divorced his wife three times. Then, his brother married her to make Tahlil for his brother, without the brother knowing this fact. He then asked, “Is she allowed for the first (husband)” He said, “No, unless it is a marriage that involves desire. We used to consider this an act of adultery during the time of Allah’s Messenger .” Al-Hakim said, “This Hadith has a Sahih chain although they (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it.”The wording of this Hadith indicates that the ruling came from the Prophet . Abu Bakr bin Abu Shaybah, Al-Jawzjani, Harb Al-Kirmani and Abu Bakr Al-Athram said that Qabisah bin Jabir said that `Umar said, “If the participants to Tahlil are brought to me, I will have them stoned.”
Allah said:
(And if he has divorced her) meaning, the second husband after he had complete sexual relations with her,
(it is no sin on both of them that they reunite) meaning, the wife and her first husband,
(provided they feel that they can keep the limits ordained by Allah.) meaning, they live together honorably. Mujahid said, “If they are convinced that the aim behind their marriage is honorable.” Next, Allah said:
(These are the limits of Allah,) His commandments and legislation,
(He makes plain)
(for the people who have knowledge.)
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