Chapter 65

In the name of God, the Almighty, the Most Merciful

1. O you prophet, if anyone divorces the women, you shall ensure that the divorce interim is fulfilled, and measure the interim. You shall reverence God your Lord. Do not evict the women from their homes, nor shall you make life miserable for them, to force them to leave on their own, unless they commit a proven adultery. These are God's limits. Anyone who transgresses God's limits commits an injustice against himself. You never know; perhaps God will make something good to come out of this.

2. Once the interim is fulfilled, then you shall either reconcile with them equitably, or go through with the separation equitably. You shall have two equitable witnesses from among you and give the testimony for God. This is to enlighten those who believe in God and the Last Day. Anyone who reverences God, He will create an exit for him.

3. And He will provide for him whence he never expected. Anyone who puts his trust in God, then He suffices him. God's commands will be done. God has decreed for everything its fate.

4. As for the women who have reached menopause, if you have any doubts, their interim shall be three months. As for those who do not menstruate, and discover that they are pregnant, their interim ends upon giving birth. Anyone who reverences God, He makes everything easy for him.

5. This is God's command that He sends down to you. Anyone who reverences God, He remits his sins, and rewards him generously.

6. You shall allow them to live in the same home in which they lived with you, and do not annoy them so that they leave on their own. If they are pregnant, you shall spend on them until they give birth. If they nurse the infant, you shall pay them for this service. You shall maintain the amicable relations among you. If you disagree, you may hire another woman to nurse the child.

7. The rich husband shall provide support in accordance with his means, and the poor shall provide according to the means that God bestowed upon him. God does not impose on any soul more than He has given it. God will provide ease after difficulty.

8. Many a community rebelled against the commands of its Lord and against His messengers. Consequently, we held them strictly accountable, and requited them a terrible requital.

9. They suffered the consequences of their decisions; a profound loss.

10. God has prepared for them a severe retribution. Therefore, you shall reverence God, O you who possess intelligence and believed. God has sent down to you a remembrance.

11. A messenger who recites to you God's revelations, clearly, to lead those who believe and work righteousness out of the darkness into the light. Anyone who believes in God and leads a righteous life, He will admit him into gardens with flowing streams; they abide therein forever. God will generously reward him.

12. God who created seven worlds and the same number of earths. The commands flow among them. This is to let you know that God is capable of all things, and that God has encompassed all things with His knowledge.