Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

Divorce is twice. Then retaining according to what is fitting, or releasing with good conduct. And it is not lawful for you to take of what you have given women unless they fear that they cannot uphold the limits of God. Then if you fear that they cannot uphold the limits of God, they do no wrong concerning that whereby she ransoms herself. Those are the limits of God, so transgress them not. And whoso transgresses the limits of God, it is they who are the wrongdoers.

اَلطَّـلَاقُ مَرَّتَانِۖ فَاِمْسَاكٌ بِمَعْرُوفٍ اَوْ تَسْر۪يحٌ بِاِحْسَانٍۜ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ اَنْ تَأْخُذُوا مِمَّٓا اٰتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ شَيْـٔاً اِلَّٓا اَنْ يَخَافَٓا اَلَّا يُق۪يمَا حُدُودَ اللّٰهِۜ فَاِنْ خِفْتُمْ اَلَّا يُق۪يمَا حُدُودَ اللّٰهِۙ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَا ف۪يمَا افْتَدَتْ بِه۪ۜ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللّٰهِ فَلَا تَعْتَدُوهَاۚ وَمَنْ يَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ اللّٰهِ فَاُو۬لٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
Attalaqu marratanifa-imsakun bimaAAroofin aw tasreehun bi-ihsaninwala yahillu lakum an ta/khuthoo mimmaataytumoohunna shay-an illa an yakhafaalla yuqeema hudooda Allahi fa-inkhiftum alla yuqeema hudooda Allahifala junaha AAalayhima feema iftadatbihi tilka hudoodu Allahi fala taAAtadoohawaman yataAAadda hudooda Allahi faola-ikahumu aththalimoon
#wordmeaningroot
1al-ṭalāquThe divorceطلق
2marratāni(is) twiceمرر
3fa-im'sākunThen to retainمسك
4bimaʿrūfinin a reasonable mannerعرف
5awor
6tasrīḥunto release (her)سرح
7bi-iḥ'sāninwith kindnessحسن
8walāAnd (it is) not
9yaḥillulawfulحلل
10lakumfor you
11anthat
12takhudhūyou take (back)اخذ
13mimmāwhatever
14ātaytumūhunnayou have given themاتي
15shayananythingشيا
16illāexcept
17anif
18yakhāfāboth fearخوف
19allāthat not
20yuqīmāthey both (can) keepقوم
21ḥudūda(the) limitsحدد
22l-lahi(of) Allah
23fa-inBut if
24khif'tumyou fearخوف
25allāthat not
26yuqīmāthey both (can) keepقوم
27ḥudūda(the) limitsحدد
28l-lahi(of) Allah
29falāthen (there is) no
30junāḥasinجنح
31ʿalayhimāon both of them
32fīmāin what
33if'tadatshe ransomsفدي
34bihiconcerning it
35til'kaThese
36ḥudūdu(are the) limitsحدد
37l-lahi(of) Allah
38falāso (do) not
39taʿtadūhātransgress themعدو
40wamanAnd whoever
41yataʿaddatransgressesعدو
42ḥudūda(the) limitsحدد
43l-lahi(of) Allah
44fa-ulāikathen those
45humuthey
46l-ẓālimūna(are) the wrongdoersظلم
  • Aisha Bewley

    Divorce can be pronounced two times; in which case wives may be retained with correctness and courtesy or released with good will. It is not lawful for you to keep anything you have given them unless a couple fear that they will not remain within Allah’s limits. If you fear that they will not remain within Allah’s limits, there is nothing wrong in the wife ransoming herself with some of what she received. These are Allah’s limits, so do not overstep them. Those who overstep Allah’s limits are wrongdoers.

  • Progressive Muslims

    The divorce is allowed twice. So, either they remain together equitably, or they part ways with kindness. And it is not lawful for you to take back anything you have given the women unless you fear that they will not uphold God's limits. So if you fear that they will not uphold God's limits, then there is no sin upon them for what is given back. These are God's limits so do not transgress them. And whoever shall transgress God's limits, then these are the wicked.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    In a given couple's lifetime, a divorce is permissible twice. (The whole period of divorce i.e. three menstruations / three months, or until delivery can be taken back twice). Then the divorced woman must be retained in honor or released in kindness. She shall be allowed to live in the same home amicably, or leave it amicably. At or after divorce, it is not lawful for you to take back anything of what you have ever given to her. However, if both of you fear that you might (in waves of emotion) transgress the bounds set by Allah, there shall be no blame on either of you if the wife willingly gives back whatever she chooses. These are the Limits set by Allah; transgress them not. Whoever transgresses the bounds set by Allah, such are the wrongdoers.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    Divorce is twice. Then retaining according to what is fitting, or releasing with good conduct. And it is not lawful for you to take of what you have given women unless they fear that they cannot uphold the limits of God. Then if you fear that they cannot uphold the limits of God, they do no wrong concerning that whereby she ransoms herself. Those are the limits of God, so transgress them not. And whoso transgresses the limits of God, it is they who are the wrongdoers.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    The divorce is allowed twice. So, either they remain together equitably, or they part ways with goodness. And it is not lawful for you to take back anything you have given them unless you fear that they will not uphold the boundaries of God. So if you fear that they will not uphold the boundaries of God, then there is no sin upon them for what is given back. These are the boundaries of God so do not transgress them. And whoever shall transgress the boundaries of God, then these are the wicked.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    The divorce is allowed twice. So, either remain together equitably, or part ways with kindness. It is not lawful for you to take back anything you have given the women unless you fear that they will not uphold God's limits. So if you fear that they will not uphold God's limits, then there is no sin upon them for what is given back. These are God's limits so do not transgress them. Whoever shall transgress God's limits are the wicked.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    Divorce may be retracted twice. The divorced woman shall be allowed to live in the same home amicably, or leave it amicably. It is not lawful for the husband to take back anything he had given her. However, the couple may fear that they may transgress GOD's law. If there is fear that they may transgress GOD's law, they commit no error if the wife willingly gives back whatever she chooses. These are GOD's laws; do not transgress them. Those who transgress GOD's laws are the unjust.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    Divorce is (revokable) two times (after pronouncement), after which (there are two ways open for husbands), either (to) keep (the wives) honourably, or part with them in a decent way. You are not allowed to take away the least of what you have given your wives, unless both of you fear that you would not be able to keep within the limits set by God. If you fear you cannot maintain the bounds fixed by God, there will be no blame on either if the woman redeems herself. Do not exceed the limits of God, for those who exceed the bounds set by God are transgressors.

  • Sahih International (Umm Muhammad, Mary Kennedy, Amatullah Bantley)

    Divorce is twice. Then, either keep in an acceptable manner or release with good treatment. And it is not lawful for you to take anything of what you have given them unless both fear that they will not be able to keep the limits of Allah. But if you fear that they will not keep the limits of Allah, then there is no blame upon either of them concerning that by which she ransoms herself. These are the limits of Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah - it is those who are the wrongdoers.

  • Muhammad Asad

    A divorce may be twice, whereupon the marriage must either be resumed in fairness or dissolved in a goodly manner. And it is not lawful for you to take back anything of what you have ever given to your wives unless both have cause to fear that they may not be able to keep within the bounds set by God: hence, if you have cause to fear that the two may not be able to keep within the bounds set by God, there shall be no sin upon either of them for what the wife may give up in order to free herself. These are the bounds set by God; do not, then, transgress them: for they who transgress the bounds set by God-it is they, they who are evildoers!

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    Divorce must be pronounced twice and then (a woman) must be retained in honour or released in kindness. And it is not lawful for you that ye take from women aught of that which ye have given them; except (in the case) when both fear that they may not be able to keep within the limits (imposed by) Allah. And if ye fear that they may not be able to keep the limits of Allah, in that case it is no sin for either of them if the woman ransom herself. These are the limits (imposed by) Allah. Transgress them not. For whoso transgresseth Allah's limits: such are wrong-doers.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    Divorce can be pronounced twice: then, either honourable retention or kindly release should follow.* (While dissolving the marriage tie) it is unlawful for you to take back anything of what you have given to your wives* unless both fear that they may not be able to keep within the bounds set by Allah. Then, if they fear that they might not be able to keep within the bounds set by Allah, there is no blame upon them for what the wife might give away of her property to become released from the marriage tie.* These are the bounds set by Allah; do not transgress them. Those of you who transgress the bounds set by Allah are indeed the wrong-doers.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Divorce is permissible only twice, if each time both parties think they can reconcile with their hearts and with Allah. There and then they shall have to hold together in equity or else part in kindness. But if you decide on divorce, then you are forbidden to reclaim what you gave them of dower or gifts unless you fear obstinacy against Allah’s ordinances, then you are absolved if she wishes to buy her freedom. These are the limitations imposed by Allah, and those who transgress them are wrongful.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    A man may divorce only twice. Let your divorced woman to live in the same house with honor or let her leave, if she wishes. It is against the Lord’s law for husband to take back what he has already given to his ex-wife unless the woman wants to buy her freedom back by offering what her husband has offered her These are the laws of your Lord; do not take them lightly. Then one who disregards the law of his Lord is an unjust person.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    The divorce is twice, after that, either you retain her on reasonable terms or release her with kindness. And it is not lawful for you (men) to take back (from your wives) any of your Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) which you have given them, except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allâh (e.g. to deal with each other on a fair basis). Then if you fear that they would not be able to keep the limits ordained by Allâh, then there is no sin on either of them if she gives back (the Mahr or a part of it) for her Al-Khul‘ (divorce). These are the limits ordained by Allâh, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits ordained by Allâh, then such are the Zâlimûn (wrong-doers).

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    A divorce is only permissible twice: after that, the parties should either hold Together on equitable terms, or separate with kindness. It is not lawful for you, (Men), to take back any of your gifts (from your wives), except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah. If ye (judges) do indeed fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah, there is no blame on either of them if she give something for her freedom. These are the limits ordained by Allah; so do not transgress them if any do transgress the limits ordained by Allah, such persons wrong (Themselves as well as others).

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    Divorce may be retracted twice, then the husband must retain ˹his wife˺ with honour or separate ˹from her˺ with grace. It is not lawful for husbands to take back anything of the dowry given to their wives, unless the couple fears not being able to keep within the limits of Allah. So if you fear they will not be able to keep within the limits of Allah, there is no blame if the wife compensates the husband to obtain divorce. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah, they are the ˹true˺ wrongdoers.

  • Taqi Usmani

    Divorce is twice; then either to retain in all fairness, or to release nicely. It is not lawful for you to take back anything from what you have given them, unless both apprehend that they would not be able to maintain the limits set by Allah. Now, if you apprehend that they would not maintain the limits set by Allah, then, there is no sin on them in what she gives up to secure her release. These are the limits set by Allah. Therefore, do not exceed them. Whosoever exceeds the limits set by Allah, then, those are the transgressors.

  • Abdul Haleem

    Divorce can happen twice, and wives either be kept on in an acceptable manner or released in a good way. It is not lawful for you to take back anything that you have given , except where both fear that they cannot maintain within the bounds set by God: if you suspect that the couple may not be able to do this, then there will be no blame on either of them if the woman opts to give something for her release. These are the bounds set by God: do not overstep them. It is those who overstep God’s bounds who are doing wrong.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    Divorce is twice; then honourable retention or setting free kindly. It is not lawful for you to take of what you have given them unless the couple fear they may not maintain God's bounds; if you fear they may not maintain God's bounds, it is no fault in them for her to redeem herself. Those are God's bounds; do not transgress them. Whosoever transgresses the bounds of God -- those are the evildoers.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    Divorce (may happen) twice; then keep them in reason, or let them go with kindness. It is not lawful for you to take from them anything of what you have given them, unless both fear that they cannot keep within God's bounds. So if ye fear that ye cannot keep within God's bounds there is no crime in you both about what she ransoms herself with. These are God's bounds, do not transgress them; and whoso transgresses God's bounds, they it is who are unjust.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    Divorce is permissible only twice (after an intermediate reconciliation); then keep them in honour, or let them go with kindness. It is not lawful for you to take from them anything of what you have given them, unless both fear that they cannot keep within Allah's bounds. So if you fear that you cannot keep within Allah's bounds there is no crime in you both if she ransoms herself. These are Allah's bounds. Do not transgress them; and whoever transgresses Allah's bounds, they it is who are unjust.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    Divorce is twice; then retention with beneficence or release in fairness. And it is not lawful for you to take anything of whatever you have brought (the women) except (in case) they both fear that they may not keep within (Literally: Keep up) the bounds of Allah. So, in case you fear that they may not keep within (Literally: Keep up) the bounds of Allah, it is no fault in them (both) for her to ransom herself. Those are the bounds of Allah; so, do not transgress them; and whoever transgresses the bounds of Allah then those are they (who are) the unjust.

  • George Sale

    Ye may divorce your wives twice; and then either retain them with humanity, or dismiss them with kindness. But it is not lawful for you to take away any thing of what ye have given them, unless both fear that they cannot observe the ordinances of God. And if ye fear that they cannot observe the ordinances of God, it shall be no crime in either of them of account of that for which the wife shall redeem her self. These are the ordinances of God; therefore transgress them not; for whoever transgresseth the ordinances of God, they are unjust doers.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    A divorce is only permitted two times: After that the parties should either stay together on just terms, or separate with kindness. It is not lawful for you, (men) to take back any of your gifts (from your wives). Except when both parties fear that would be unable to keep the limits set forth by Allah. If you (judges) do fear that they would be unable to keep the limits set forth by Allah, then there is no blame on either of them if she gives something for her freedom. These are the limits set by Allah— So do not break them; If any (person) does step beyond the limits set forth by Allah, such persons wrong (themselves as well as others).

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    Such a (revocable) divorce may be (pronounced) twice, then, (after the second pronouncement) there should be either retaining (the wife) with honour and fairness or letting (her) leave with goodness. And it is not lawful for you to take (back) anything of what you have given them (your wives); however, if both (the husband and the wife) fear that they cannot abide by the injunctions of Allâh, and if you (- the Muslim community, also) fear that they cannot observe the limits (prescribed) by Allâh then there is no blame on either of them in what she gives up to redeem herself (as Khula`). These are the injunctions of Allâh, therefore, do not violate them; and whoso violates the injunctions of Allâh, it is they who are really the wrongdoers.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    divorce may be only twice; then either an honourable retention, or a kindly release. And it is not lawful for you to take back anything from what you have given them, unless the couple fear that they may not maintain Allah’s bounds. So if you fear they would not maintain Allah’s bounds, there is no sin upon them in what she may give to secure her release. These are Allah’s bounds, so do not transgress them, and whoever transgresses the bounds of Allah —it is they who are the wrongdoers.