Living Quran

Surah At-Talaq (The Divorce)

At-Talaq means "The Divorce," named for its detailed guidance on the process and etiquette of divorce.

At-Talaq is the 65th chapter of the Quran, a Medinan surah of 12 ayahs. It addresses the procedure surrounding divorce, emphasizing that it be conducted with fairness, dignity, and God-consciousness. The surah discusses the waiting period, the counting of its term, and the treatment of women during this time, instructing that they not be wrongfully expelled from their homes and that arrangements be made kindly, whether toward reconciliation or a decent parting. It touches on maintenance, the situation of pregnant and nursing women, and provision according to means. Throughout, the surah frames family law within the larger theme of mindfulness of God, repeatedly noting that those conscious of Him are granted relief and provision from unexpected sources. It closes by recalling God's power and knowledge and the reckoning that awaits those who transgress His limits.
Surah number
65
Revelation
Medinan
Ayahs
12
Arabic
الطلاق

Read Surah At-Talaq online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

  • The etiquette and procedure of divorce
  • The waiting period and its careful observance
  • Just and kind treatment during separation
  • Maintenance and provision according to means
  • God-consciousness bringing relief and provision
  • Respecting the limits set by God in family matters

Why this surah matters

At-Talaq is a foundational scriptural reference for the treatment of divorce in Islamic family law, and its verses are widely discussed across the schools of jurisprudence, which differ on points of detail. Because it centers on the rights and dignity of women during separation and stresses fairness, it is frequently cited in that context. The surah is also well known for its verses linking God-consciousness to unexpected relief and provision, which many Muslims recite and reflect upon during times of difficulty, valuing them as a source of reassurance and hope.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the surah called At-Talaq?

It is named for its guidance on divorce, laying out principles for the waiting period, fair treatment, and provision, all framed within mindfulness of God.

Does the surah give specific legal rulings?

It establishes broad principles that the schools of Islamic law elaborate in different ways; for actual rulings Muslims consult qualified scholars, as the surah itself sets general guidance rather than every detail.

Which verses are often recited for comfort?

Its passages promising that those conscious of God are given a way out and provided from unexpected sources are widely cited and reflected on during hardship.

Read Surah At-Talaq

Read Surah At-Talaq with the Pickthall translation and ask Noor about any ayah — ad-free and neutral across all five schools.

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