Commentary on Surah al-Talaq 65:4–5 — Waiting Period for Special Cases

سورۃ الطلاق — آیات ۴–۵

وَاللَّائِي يَئِسْنَ مِنَ الْمَحِيضِ مِن نِّسَائِكُمْ إِنِ ارْتَبْتُمْ فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ ثَلَاثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ وَاللَّائِي لَمْ يَحِضْنَ ۚ وَأُولَاتُ الْأَحْمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَن يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا

(Al-Talaq 65:4) "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 lay down their burden. And whoever fears Allah — He will make his matter easy for him."

Wallai ya'isna min al-mahid min nisa'ikum: those of your women who have despaired of menstruation — they have become menopausal. Min nisa'ikum: from among your wives. In artabtum: if you are in doubt. Fa-'iddatuhunna thalathatu ashhur: their 'iddah is three months — approximately three menstrual periods, as each month corresponds to one menstrual cycle. Wallai lam yahidna: and those who have not yet menstruated — their 'iddah is also three months. Wa-ulat al-ahmal: and for those who are pregnant. Ajaluhunna an yada'na hamlahunn: their 'iddah is until they deliver. Wa-man yattaqi Allaha yaj'al lahu min amrihi yusran: and whoever fears Allah, He will make his affairs easy for him.

Translation: Those of your women who have despaired of menstruation — if you are in doubt, their 'iddah is three months; similarly for those who have not yet menstruated. And for pregnant women, their 'iddah ends when they give birth. Whoever fears Allah — Allah will make his affairs easy.

ذَٰلِكَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ أَنزَلَهُ إِلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِ وَيُعْظِمْ لَهُ أَجْرًا

(Al-Talaq 65:5) "That is the command of Allah, which He has sent down to you; and whoever fears Allah — He will remove for him his misdeeds and make great for him his reward."

Zalika amru Allahi: that is the command of Allah. Anzalahu ilaykum: He has sent it down to you — this is the ruling of Allah coming to your side. Wa-man yattaqi Allaha: and whoever fears Allah and adopts taqwa. Yukaffir 'anhu sayyi'atihi: He will expiate from them their sins — He will cover their past sins and pass them by. Wa-yu'zim lahu ajran: and He will give them great reward — a great recompense from beyond measure.

Translation: This is the command of Allah sent down to you. Whoever fears Allah — Allah will expiate their sins and grant them a great reward.