Commentary on Al-Baqarah 2:228 — The Waiting Period and Women's Rights

سورۃ البقرۃ ۲۲۸

وَالْمُطَلَّقَاتُ يَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ ثَلَاثَةَ قُرُوءٍ ۚ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَهُنَّ أَن يَكْتُمْنَ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ فِي أَرْحَامِهِنَّ إِن كُنَّ يُؤْمِنَّ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ وَبُعُولَتُهُنَّ أَحَقُّ بِرَدِّهِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ إِنْ أَرَادُوا إِصْلَاحًا ۚ وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

(Al-Baqarah 2:228) "And divorced women shall wait for three menstrual cycles. And it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have more right to take them back in this period if they desire reconciliation. And due to women are rights similar to what is incumbent upon them, in accordance with what is reasonable, but men have a degree above them. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise."

Al-Mutallaqat: divorced women — those to whom divorce has been given. Talaq: the severing of the nikah bond and the contract of marriage. Talaqa al-naqata in halla min 'iqaliha: she has become free from the ropes. Yatarabbasna: they shall wait, remain in expectation. Bi-anfusihinna: in themselves, keeping themselves. Thalathata quruʾ: three periods of purity/menstruation. Quruʾ is the plural of qar'. Al-qar' means collection; to collect. It is applied to both the period of menstruation and the period between two menstruations (purity). According to the Hanafi school, qar' means menstruation (hayd).

Wa la yahillu lahunna: it is not lawful for them. An yaktumna: to conceal, hide. Ma khalaqa Allahu fi arhamihinna: what Allah has created in their wombs — meaning what is in the womb, whether pregnancy or menstruation. In kunna yu'minna bi-Allahi wal-yawm al-akhir: if they believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is the key test — do you really believe in Allah and the Day of Judgement? Wa-bu'ulatuhunna: their husbands. Ahaqqu bi-raddihinna: more entitled to take them back. Fi zalika: in that period (the waiting period). In araadu islahan: if their intent is reform and reconciliation. Wa lahunna mithl alladhi 'alayhinna bil-ma'ruf: they (women) have rights equal to the duties upon them, according to common custom. Wa-lil-rijali 'alayhinna darajah: men have one degree above them — in priority, authority. Wa-Allahu 'Azizun Hakim: Allah is Most Mighty and Wise.

Translation: And those women who have been given divorce shall keep themselves (in waiting) for three menstrual periods. And it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have more right to take them back during this period if they intend reconciliation. Women have rights similar to those of men upon them in accordance with what is recognized as proper, though men have one degree above them. Allah is Exalted and Wise.

Dear friends! This is a very important verse, and great misunderstandings have arisen about it in the world. At this point I wish to draw your attention to a few matters. Can love descend from the highest heavens? Does love make unity possible? Love distinguishes and makes things sharp and separate. Think about it: a mother, a father, children, siblings — who can say "my children are yours and yours are mine"? Love between two people has made them one — it has joined them. Enmity has entered between them; now there is nothing but conflict, envy, and hostility.

Dear friends! Look at the sparrow, the pigeon, the parrot — they keep their young, seek out their nests. As for man, when he remains without a home, the situation becomes critical. The female bird by nature is loyal to her mate. But here in our time, the situation has deteriorated. Indeed, the world has changed in every respect — and if the wife does not find fulfillment from the husband, then by the world's standards comes betrayal and humiliation. What has become of that purity and loyalty? The disease of envy has replaced it.

Now I say something important: it is a fundamental principle that women are equal to men in their rights. The Qur'an declares this here. Just as a Muslim man should be educated, similarly every Muslim woman has a right to some share of proper knowledge. Men are guardians, breadwinners; men take care of the children. But women are obligated to manage the home. There is a degree of authority for men — a degree of priority — in the household. Why are men guardians? Who is the breadwinner? Allah has declared it: men are the caretakers. This is not an injustice to women. Those governments which claim to protect women's rights have in fact done more damage than good. Their so-called protection has brought about the corruption of society.