Verse 229 of Surah Al-Baqarah in the Holy Quran, as one of the pivotal verses delineating the rulings on divorce, presents a logical and ethical framework for regulating familial relationships. This verse, employing a systematic and profound language, not only addresses the permissibility of divorce and the conditions for its implementation, but also, through emphasis on benevolence and observance of divine limits, seeks to reduce violence and fanaticism within religious communities. This treatise, relying on the logical structure of the Holy Quran and a critique of dogmatic culture, analyses this verse alongside its social and ethical consequences. The objective is to provide a comprehensive and academic exegesis that preserves every detail of the original text while adding semantic linkages and supplementary explanations, thereby offering a novel perspective on the rulings of divorce and its role in reforming religious culture.
The Holy Quran, in verse 229 of Surah Al-Baqarah, introduces divorce as a permissible matter within the framework of Sharia law. With a logical and quasi-mathematical structure, it first provides a conceptual and categorical definition of divorce, then elucidates the conditions for its occurrence and the classification of its types. This structure resembles philosophical logic wherein definition precedes classification, and classification follows definition. The Holy Quran defines divorce as "release" or "liberation," subsequently addressing its types (revocable and irrevocable) and conditions of execution, such as observance of benevolence.
This method reflects the depth and precision of the Holy Quran in the presentation of rulings. Divorce, as a key to unlocking unhealthy relationships, is not merely a severance of ties but an opportunity for restoring human dignity and liberating the parties from an untenable commitment.
Divorce in this verse is defined as the release and liberation of the parties from the bonds of marriage. This concept, emphasised by the phrase tashreehun bi-ihsn (release with benevolence), insists on performing this release with kindness and good conduct. Divorce, in this view, is not merely the end of a relationship but a process of liberating the parties from a bond whose continuation would violate divine limits or harm human dignity.
This definition stems from the humanitarian and ethical perspective of the Holy Quran. Contrary to the common misconception that divorce is merely separation, the Holy Quran views it as an opportunity to reconstruct human relationships and create an environment conducive to peaceful coexistence.
Verse 229 of Surah Al-Baqarah limits revocable divorce to two occurrences and, after the third divorce, introduces the necessity of halala (the wife marrying another individual). This limitation serves as a mechanism to prevent abuse of divorce and to encourage preservation of the marital relationship.
This classification demonstrates the seriousness of the Holy Quran in regulating familial relations. Revocable divorce provides an opportunity for reconsideration and rectification of the relationship, whereas the third divorce requiring halala acts as a warning to those who do not appreciate the freedom and commitment inherent in marriage. This mechanism functions as a shield preventing divorce from becoming a tool of coercion and abuse.
Violence in religious communities stems from dogmatism and the self-superiority of religious groups that consider themselves the sole bearers of truth. This worldview has led to mutual hostility and curses among religions and sects, including Jews, Christians, Shiites, and Sunnis, driving religious societies toward conflict and fanaticism.
This violence resembles a fire that consumes the roots of empathy and tolerance. The Holy Quran, emphasising benevolence and observance of divine limits, seeks to extinguish this fire and establish an environment for ethical interaction.
According to a narration from Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him), Jews and Christians each regard the other as false and perceive themselves as right, although neither is entirely correct. This critique addresses the culture of fanaticism and excommunication in Abrahamic religions.
This perspective acts like a mirror reflecting the harms of religious culture. The Holy Quran, by presenting balanced rulings and stressing benevolence, aims to moderate this outlook and promote a culture of tolerance and mutual respect.
Violence in Islamic societies, particularly concerning divorce, arises from misunderstandings of religious rulings and the predominance of patriarchal views. This violence manifests as conflict, coercion, and misuse of Sharia rulings within familial relations, disrupting social tranquility.
The Holy Quran, emphasizing rational and ethical conduct, serves as a beacon in the darkness, guiding the reform of this culture. This verse, inviting benevolence, seeks to replace violence with mercy and dignity.
The Holy Quran in verse 229 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by stressing tashreehun bi-ihsn (release with benevolence), introduces divorce as a generous process based on kindness. Benevolence, as the highest degree of forbearance, denotes noble behaviour towards the spouse at the time of separation, including maintaining financial rights and respecting their dignity.
Benevolence is like a gentle breeze that calms the storm of enmity and conflict. This emphasis stands in opposition to a culture of violence and abuse, providing an ethical paradigm for separation that preserves human dignity.
The verse explicitly prohibits reclaiming property given to the wife: wa l yaillu lakum an takhudh mim-m taytumhunna shayan. This ruling aims to preserve the womans financial rights and prevent men from abusing the power of divorce.
This prohibition acts as a shield protecting the financial rights of women against patriarchal pressures. The Holy Quran, by this ruling, takes a significant step towards financial justice in marital relations.
Under certain conditions, the verse permits a woman to pay compensation for separation: fa-in khiftum alla yuqm udda llh fal juna alayhim fm iftadat bihi. This exception applies when both husband and wife fear the failure to uphold divine limits in their marital life.
Fidya acts as a key unlocking deadlocks in family relations. However, misuse of this ruling results from violence and fanaticism in religious communities. The Holy Quran, by this exception, establishes a balance between the rights of both parties and prevents compulsion in marital life.
The verse stresses adherence to divine limits and condemns their transgression as injustice: tilka uddu llhi fal tatadh wa man yataadda udda llhi fa-ulika humu -limn. Divine limits constitute a framework for regulating human behaviour in personal and social domains.
