At-Talaq 65:2
The Divorce · Medinan · Juz 28 · Page 558
A Way Out
فَإِذَا بَلَغۡنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَأَمۡسِكُوهُنَّ بِمَعۡرُوفٍ أَوۡ فَارِقُوهُنَّ بِمَعۡرُوفࣲ وَأَشۡهِدُواْ ذَوَيۡ عَدۡلࣲ مِّنكُمۡ وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلشَّهَٰدَةَ لِلَّهِۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ يُوعَظُ بِهِۦ مَن كَانَ يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ مَخۡرَجࣰا ٢
Then, when they have reached their term, take them back in kindness or part from them in kindness, and call to witness two just men among you, and keep your testimony upright for Allah. Whoso believeth in Allah and the Last Day is exhorted to act thus. And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
The verse counsels, during divorce, either keeping in kindness or parting in kindness, and ends: ‘Whoever is mindful of Allah, Allah will make a way out for them.’
Insight
Elmalılı stresses that acting ‘in kindness’ (ma’ruf) is a must even at the moment of separation. This means avoiding tricks that would harm the other side and giving them their due with kind words.
Reflect
Can you end a relationship or a task that needs to end in a good way?
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›