ভূমিকা

And it is not lawful for you to take anything of what you have given them, unless both fear that they can not keep (themselves) within Allah's bounds; and if you fear that they cannot keep (themselves) within Allah's bounds, it is no sin on either of them about what she gives up to get herself freed (from the wedlock) . Those are Allah's limits; so do not transgress them.

And, whoever transgresses Allah's limits ِ then these are they that are the (willful) wrongdoers." Occasion of Ravelation: Once there came a woman to one of the Prophet's wives and complained about her husband that he repeatedly divorced her and then revoked again to create damages for her thereby. And, it was customary among pagan Arabs that a man could divorce his wife thousands of times and revoke it, while there was no limit in this regard.

When this grievance was reported to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) , the above verse was revealed and limited the divorce to three times. 218 Commentary: It was pointed out in the commentary of the former verse that the regulations of ' waiting period ' and 'revocation ' are for the improvement of the conditions of family status and preventing from separation and dispersion. But, some of the new converted believers acted according to the old paganism and abused this regulation.

To hurt their wives, they divorced them and revoked it again and again. So, this verse was sent down and prevented that ugly and unmanly action. It says: " Divorce (is permissible) only twice, ..." This kind of divorce (revocable divorce) , of course, should be accomplished in different meetings, not in one session alone.

Then, the Qur'an adds that in each of these two meetings the husband should either keep his wife honourably with him and make peace with her, or kindly let her go and separate with her for ever.