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
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِمَآ أَرَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَآئِنِينَ خَصِيمًا
Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allāh has shown you. And do not be for the deceitful an advocate.
مَّن يُطِعِ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ ٱللَّهَ ۖ وَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا
He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allāh; but those who turn away - We have not sent you over them as a guardian.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُوا۟ بَيْنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيَقُولُونَ نُؤْمِنُ بِبَعْضٍ وَنَكْفُرُ بِبَعْضٍ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَّخِذُوا۟ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا
Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allāh and His messengers and wish to discriminate between Allāh and His messengers and say, "We believe in some and disbelieve in others," and wish to adopt a way in between -
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَلَمْ يُفَرِّقُوا۟ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ سَوْفَ يُؤْتِيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
But they who believe in Allāh and His messengers and do not discriminate between any of them - to those He is going to give their rewards. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.