Surah 65: Divorce

Surah 65: Divorce - Overview

Verses	Description
65:1-12	Divorce not to be abused; all interests to be protected

Introduction

This is the ninth of the ten short Madinah Surahs dealing with the social life of the Community. The aspect dealt with here is Divorce, and the necessity of precautions to guard against its abuse. The relations of the sexes are an important factor in the social life of the Community, and this and the following Surah deal with certain aspects of it. "Of all things permitted by Law", said the Prophet, "divorce is the most hateful in the sight of Allah." (Abu Dawud, Sunan, 13.3). While the sanctity of marriage is the essential basis of family life, the incompatibility of individuals and the weaknesses of human nature require certain outlets and safeguards if that sanctity is not to be made into a fetish at the expense of human life. That is why the question of Divorce is in this Surah linked with the question of insolent impiety and its punishment.

The date is somewhere about A.H. 6, but the chronology has no significance.

Summary

1- Provision to be made for women in case of Divorce; insolent impiety always leads to punishment. (65:1-12)

Justice and Protection [65:1-12] Guard well your truth and pure integrity in sex relations. Keep the tie of marriage sacred; but where it must be dissolved, use all precautions to ensure justice to the weaker party and protect the interests of unborn or newborn lives as well as social decency; and close not to the last the door of reconciliation. God's Laws must be obeyed; 'tis man's own loss if he is deaf to the Voice which teaches him, or blind to the Light which guides him. God's universe of beauty and wonder stands strong in wisdom: let man but tune himself thereto.