Commentary on Surah al-Talaq 65:6–7 — Housing and Maintenance During 'Iddah

سورۃ الطلاق — آیات ۶–۷

أَسْكِنُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ سَكَنتُم مِّن وُجْدِكُمْ وَلَا تُضَارُّوهُنَّ لِتُضَيِّقُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن كُنَّ أُولَاتِ حَمْلٍ فَأَنفِقُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ ۚ فَإِنْ أَرْضَعْنَ لَكُمْ فَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ ۖ وَأْتَمِرُوا بَيْنَكُمْ بِمَعْرُوفٍ ۖ وَإِن تَعَاسَرْتُمْ فَسَتُرْضِعُ لَهُ أُخْرَىٰ

(Al-Talaq 65:6) "Lodge them (in a section) of where you dwell out of your means and do not harm them in order to oppress them. And if they should be pregnant, then spend on them until they give birth. And if they breastfeed for you, then give them their payment and confer among yourselves in the acceptable way; but if you find difficulty, then another woman will breastfeed for him."

Askinu hunna min haythu sakantum: lodge the women where you yourself live. Min wujdikum: according to your means, your financial capacity. Keep them in the home according to your means. Wa-la tudarruhunna: and do not harm them. Li-tudayyiqu 'alayhinna: so that you may oppress and constrict them. Wa-in kunna ulat hamlin: and if they are pregnant. Fa-anfiqu 'alayhinna: then spend on them. Hatta yada'na hamlahunn: until they deliver their child. Fa-in arda'na lakum: if they then breastfeed for you. Fa-atuhunna ujurahunna: then give them their wages — their payment. Wa-tamiru baynakum bil-ma'ruf: and consult between yourselves with mutual goodwill according to custom. Wa-in ta'asartum: and if you find difficulty and disagreement arises. Fa-satur di'u lahu ukhra: then another woman will nurse the child (in place of the first).

Translation: House these women where you live, according to your means, and do not harm them so as to oppress them. If they are pregnant, provide for them until they deliver. If they then breastfeed your child, give them their payment. Consult with one another in a recognized and decent manner. If you face difficulty, another woman will breastfeed the child.

لِيُنفِقْ ذُو سَعَةٍ مِّن سَعَتِهِ ۖ وَمَن قُدِرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقُهُ فَلْيُنفِقْ مِمَّا آتَاهُ اللَّهُ ۚ لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا مَا آتَاهَا ۚ سَيَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ بَعْدَ عُسْرٍ يُسْرًا

(Al-Talaq 65:7) "Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted — let him spend from what Allah has given him. Allah does not burden a soul beyond what He has given it. Allah will bring about, after hardship, ease."

Li-yunfiq dhu sa'atin min sa'atihi: let the one of means spend from his abundance. Wa-man qudira 'alayhi rizquhu: and the one whose sustenance is constrained — the one whose hand is tight. Fa-l-yunfiq mimma atahu Allahu: then let him spend from what Allah has given him — whatever Allah has given him, from that he must spend. La yukallifu Allahu nafsan illa ma ataaha: Allah does not burden any soul beyond what He has given it — He only gives a burden proportional to what He has provided. Illa ma ataaha: only to the extent He has given. Sa-yaj'alu Allahu ba'da 'usrin yusran: Allah will soon bring ease after hardship.

Translation: Let the man of wealth spend according to his wealth. And the one whose sustenance is restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah does not burden any soul beyond what He has given it. Allah will, after difficulty, bring ease.

Allah will bring ease after difficulty — God has set a measure for everything, and it is based on wisdom. Allah provides sustenance from where one cannot imagine. Whoever puts trust in Allah — He is sufficient for them. Indeed, Allah accomplishes His purpose — He has set for everything a measure. A system of cause and effect has been established. After difficulty comes ease — after hardship comes relief. This is the glad tidings Allah gives us: poverty will give way to prosperity.