Surah Al-Baqarah 2:230
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 230 of 286
فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا تَحِلُّ لَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدُ حَتَّىٰ تَنكِحَ زَوْجًا غَيْرَهُۥ ۗ فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَآ أَن يَتَرَاجَعَآ إِن ظَنَّآ أَن يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ يُبَيِّنُهَا لِقَوْمٍۢ يَعْلَمُونَ
Translation
If a husband re-divorces his wife after the second divorce, she will not be lawful for him until she has taken another husband; if that one divorces her, there will be no blame if she and the first husband return to one another, provided they feel that they can keep within the bounds set by God. These are God’s bounds, which He makes clear for those who know.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse lays down a critical boundary in marital life, specifically concerning divorce. It follows the previous verse that established "Divorce is twice," meaning a husband has two opportunities for revocable divorce. This ayah addresses the severe consequence if a third divorce occurs.
The Finality of the Third Divorce
The verse begins, "So if he divorces her..." (فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا). This refers to the husband issuing the third divorce. The immediate consequence is stated: "she is not lawful for him from now on" (فَلا تَحِلُّ لَهُ مِنۢ بَعْدُ). The phrase "مِنۢ بَعْدُ" (min ba'd, from now on or after that) is significant. As Ibn Ashur explains, it emphasizes the absolute finality of this third divorce. It serves as a strong signal to the husband that his repeated actions have led to an irreversible separation, subtly pointing to the recklessness and trivialization of marriage that brought him to this point.
The Condition for Remarriage
For the couple to ever reunite, there is a strict condition: "...until she marries a husband other than him" (حَتَّىٰ تَنكِحَ زَوْجًا غَيْرَهُ). The word "تَنكِحَ" (tanqiha, to marry) linguistically refers to the marriage contract. However, as scholars like Ibn Ashur, al-Zamakhshari, and al-Razi elaborate, the consensus, supported by prophetic tradition, is that this condition includes not only the marriage contract with the second husband but also its consummation. The severe wording and the condition of "زوجًا غَيْرَهُ" (a husband other than him) serve as a profound deterrent, an emotional "punishment" (Ibn Ashur) for the first husband. It aims to make him deeply ponder the gravity of divorce, knowing that his wife will become lawfully intimate with another man before any possibility of return.
The Path to Reconciliation
If the second husband then "divorces her" (فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا), and her waiting period (iddah) from him concludes, then "...there is no blame upon them both if they return to each other" (فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَآ أَن يَتَرَاجَعَآ). The verb "يَتَرَاجَعَآ" (yataraaja'aa, they return to each other) is in a reciprocal form, emphasizing that this return must be by mutual agreement, and would require a new marriage contract.
Upholding Allah's Boundaries
This reconciliation is permitted only "...if they *think* that they will uphold the boundaries of Allah" (إِن ظَنَّآ أَن يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ). Al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi highlight the choice of "ظَنَّآ" (dhannaa, if they *think* or *believe*) rather than "knew." This acknowledges that humans cannot have absolute certainty about the future. Instead, it refers to a strong belief and sincere intention to fulfill their marital duties and rights, which are the "حدود ٱللَّهِ" (hudud Allah, Allah's boundaries or laws). These are like divine lines that must not be crossed, and "يُقِيمَا" (yuqiimaa, to establish or uphold) is a metaphor for preserving these sacred laws (Ibn Ashur).
For a People Who Understand
The verse concludes with "And these are the boundaries of Allah, He makes them clear to a people who know" (وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ يُبَيِّنُهَا لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ). This ending emphasizes that these detailed, profound rulings are not for everyone, but specifically "لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ" (li-qawmin ya'lamoon, for a people who know or understand). Ibn Ashur notes that "قوم" (qawm, people/group) suggests that this understanding is a deeply ingrained quality, indicating those who not only comprehend the rules but also grasp their wisdom, benefits, and implications, acting upon them with insight and reflection.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:230 is discussed in 6 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
- Divorce (Talaq) (key verse)
- Divine Limits (Hudud) (key verse)
- Marriage (Nikah) (key verse)
- Reconciliation (Islah)
- Women (Nisa')
- Conjecture (Zann)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Baqarah 2:230 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.