وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ شِقَاقَ بَيْنِهِمَا فَٱبْعَثُوا۟ حَكَمًا مِّنْ أَهْلِهِۦ وَحَكَمًا مِّنْ أَهْلِهَآ إِن يُرِيدَآ إِصْلَـٰحًا يُوَفِّقِ ٱللَّهُ بَيْنَهُمَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا خَبِيرًا 35
Translations
And if you fear dissension between the two, send an arbitrator from his people and an arbitrator from her people. If they both desire reconciliation, Allāh will cause it between them. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Aware.
Transliteration
Wa-in khiftum shiqaaqa baynahumaa fab'ath-u hakaman min ahlihi wa hakaman min ahliha in yureedaa islahan yuwaffiq-u Allahu baynahumaa. Inna Allaha kana aliman khabira.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah prescribes the method of reconciliation when discord (shiqaq) threatens a marriage, requiring the appointment of arbiters (hakams) from both the husband's and wife's families. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir explain that these arbiters act as mediators to assess the marriage and attempt reconciliation, with Allah's guidance promised to those sincere in seeking reform. The ayah emphasizes that success in reconciliation depends on the arbiters' genuine intention (niyyah) to seek islah (restoration/reform), and concludes with assurance of Allah's all-encompassing knowledge and awareness of hidden conditions.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa (revealed in Medina) and addresses the social framework of marriage and family relations in Islamic law. It follows verses discussing marital rights and duties, providing an institutional mechanism for preserving marriages when conflict arises—reflecting the Islamic emphasis on maintaining family bonds while recognizing human limitations in resolving disputes.
Related Hadiths
The principle is supported by the Quranic framework; Hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah and other sources indicate the Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized reconciliation between spouses, with the statement that among permissible things, divorce is most disliked to Allah. The concept of fair arbitration is reinforced in hadith collections addressing just judgment and peacemaking.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that preserving marriages requires communal involvement and structured mediation rather than hasty decisions, reminding modern families that seeking wise counsel from trusted members of both families can restore harmony. It underscores that successful reconciliation depends not merely on procedural steps, but on sincere intention to heal, with trust that Allah guides those genuinely seeking reform.
Related Ayahs
فَبِظُلْمٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ طَيِّبَـٰتٍ أُحِلَّتْ لَهُمْ وَبِصَدِّهِمْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرًا
For wrongdoing on the part of the Jews, We made unlawful for them [certain] good foods which had been lawful to them, and for their averting from the way of Allāh many [people],
وَٱلَّذَانِ يَأْتِيَـٰنِهَا مِنكُمْ فَـَٔاذُوهُمَا ۖ فَإِن تَابَا وَأَصْلَحَا فَأَعْرِضُوا۟ عَنْهُمَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا
And the two who commit it [i.e., unlawful sexual intercourse] among you - punish [i.e., dishonor] them both. But if they repent and correct themselves, leave them alone. Indeed, Allāh is ever Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.
وَيَقُولُونَ طَاعَةٌ فَإِذَا بَرَزُوا۟ مِنْ عِندِكَ بَيَّتَ طَآئِفَةٌ مِّنْهُمْ غَيْرَ ٱلَّذِى تَقُولُ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَكْتُبُ مَا يُبَيِّتُونَ ۖ فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًا
And they say, "[We pledge] obedience." But when they leave you, a group of them spend the night determining to do other than what you say. But Allāh records what they plan by night. So leave them alone and rely upon Allāh. And sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.
فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَعْفُوَ عَنْهُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا
For those it is expected that Allāh will pardon them, and Allāh is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.