وَٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى يَئِسْنَ مِنَ ٱلْمَحِيضِ مِن نِّسَآئِكُمْ إِنِ ٱرْتَبْتُمْ فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ ثَلَـٰثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ وَٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى لَمْ يَحِضْنَ ۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰتُ ٱلْأَحْمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَن يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِهِۦ يُسْرًا 4
Translations
And those who no longer expect menstruation among your women - if you doubt, then their period is three months, and [also for] those who have not menstruated. And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth. And whoever fears Allāh - He will make for him of his matter ease.
Transliteration
Wa allaʾī yaʾisna mina al-mahīḍi min nisāʾikum in irtabtum faʿiddatuhunna thalāthatu ashhurin wa allaʾī lam yaḥḍna wa ūlātu al-aḥmāli ajāluhunna an yaḍaʿna ḥamlahunna wa man yattaqi Allāha yajʿal lahu min amrih yusrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the waiting period (ʿiddah) for divorced women in three categories: those past childbearing age whose menstruation has ceased (three months), those too young to have begun menstruation (also three months), and pregnant women (until delivery). According to classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir, the ʿiddah ensures clarity of paternity and provides time for reconciliation. The final clause emphasizes that those who fear Allah will find ease in their affairs, suggesting that adherence to these divine guidelines brings blessing and facilitation.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Talaq was revealed in Medina and addresses the legal framework of divorce in Islamic law. This particular ayah was revealed to clarify ambiguity about the ʿiddah period for women whose circumstances make the standard menstrual cycle an unclear marker, providing a complete jurisprudential system for all categories of women.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the ʿiddah: 'The ʿiddah of a woman whose husband has died is four months and ten days' (Sahih Muslim 1481). Related to the broader context of divorce, the Prophet stated: 'The most disliked of permissible things to Allah is divorce' (Sunan Abu Dawud 2226).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah demonstrates Islam's comprehensive legal framework that addresses diverse human circumstances with justice and wisdom, recognizing that different women face different situations. It teaches believers that obedience to Allah's commands and maintaining Taqwa brings ease and blessing even in difficult matters like divorce.