لِّلَّذِينَ يُؤْلُونَ مِن نِّسَآئِهِمْ تَرَبُّصُ أَرْبَعَةِ أَشْهُرٍ ۖ فَإِن فَآءُو فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 226
Translations
For those who swear not to have sexual relations with their wives is a waiting time of four months, but if they return [to normal relations] - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Lilladhīna yu'lūna min nisā'ihim tarabbusu arba'ati ashhurin fa-in fā'ū fa-inna Allāha ghafūrun rahīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the waiting period (tarabbuṣ) of four months for men who take an oath to abstain from sexual relations with their wives (known as īlā' in Islamic jurisprudence). According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurṭubī, if the husband breaks his oath and returns to his wife within this period, Allah is forgiving and merciful; if he does not, the marriage contract requires resolution. This verse strikes a balance between preserving marital bonds and protecting women's rights by imposing a time limit on such oaths.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina during the early Islamic period to address a pre-Islamic Arabian custom where men would abandon their wives through vows of abstinence. The broader context in Surah Al-Baqarah addresses various marital matters, establishing Islamic guidelines for marriage rights and responsibilities. This verse establishes legal protections against indefinite separation without divorce.
Related Hadiths
The hadith of 'Ā'ishah (Sahih Bukhari) discusses the ruling on īlā' and marital disputes. Additionally, the hadith in Abu Dawud regarding the Prophet's ﷺ handling of cases where men took such oaths illustrates the practical application of this principle in early Islamic jurisprudence.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that while Islamic law provides time for reconciliation and reflection in marital disputes, it does not permit indefinite harm or abandonment of spouses; it emphasizes that God's mercy encompasses those who repent and rectify their actions. For modern Muslims, this underscores the importance of honoring marital commitments and resolving disputes with compassion rather than through harmful vows or prolonged separation.
Related Ayahs
فَإِنِ ٱنتَهَوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And if they cease, then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَمَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِى يَنْعِقُ بِمَا لَا يَسْمَعُ إِلَّا دُعَآءً وَنِدَآءً ۚ صُمٌّۢ بُكْمٌ عُمْىٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ
The example of those who disbelieve is like that of one who shouts at what hears nothing but calls and cries [i.e., cattle or sheep] - deaf, dumb and blind, so they do not understand.
رَبَّنَا وَٱبْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
وَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُعْتَدِينَ
Fight in the way of Allāh those who fight against you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allāh does not like transgressors.