Surah At-Talaq
Allah is not incapable of anything.
Allah, the Exalted and Mighty, says: “Allah is He who created seven heavens and of the earth, the like of them.” In this noble Surah, Allah the Glorious and Exalted continues to display the Name of Glory (Allah) in places where pronouns would normally be used. Therefore, the Arabs said that revealing what is inherently implied indicates its importance. It would have been possible for the verse to read: “He has provided for him sustenance, He who created seven heavens.” However, Allah the Exalted and Mighty returned to explicitly mention the Name of Glory, in order to instill awe in the hearts, teaching that Allah, who possesses perfect attributes and names, and whose power and sovereignty are immense, is the One who created the seven heavens. We see only their roof, and on the earth, the like thereof; we see only its surface. Do not think that penetrating space is equivalent to penetrating the heavens. No, that is merely the atmospheric layer. Rather, the command of Allah the Exalted and Mighty is His revelation, which He sent down from the heavens to the earth, and His command is by which He manages the affairs of His creation.
Make it a guideline in your life: “So that you may know that Allah is over all things competent.” If you reflect upon the cosmic signs, you will say that Allah the Exalted and Mighty has scattered proofs of His Oneness and evidence of His greatness and divinity in three areas. The first is His legislative signs in His Book. The second is His cosmic signs within His creation. The third is in the history of humanity, from which we are commanded to derive lessons. We are commanded to travel through the earth and observe the conditions of past peoples, so that we may learn from them and recognize the power of Allah the Glorious and Exalted.
Allah alone is the One who created the seven heavens and seven earths. He sent down the Command, which He revealed to His messengers, by which He manages the affairs of His creation between the heavens and the earth, so that you, O people, may know that Allah is over all things competent and that nothing is beyond His power. Indeed, Allah has encompassed all things in knowledge; nothing escapes His knowledge and power. You will not remain steadfast upon the command of Allah until you realize that Allah knows all things.
“(That is the command of Allah)” refers to these rulings, which are obligatory to obey. How can you return to Allah regarding these matters? We seek Allah’s forgiveness for what has occurred from us and for our ignorance of His Book, and we resolve to reform ourselves and study His Book in the manner that pleases Him. As long as a person intends good, praise be to Allah for that good, and our Lord is the Lord of all that is good, Glorious and Exalted is He.
Why is it named Surah At-Talaq (The Divorce)?
It is named Surah At-Talaq because most of its verses concern the rulings of divorce, mentioning its etiquette and consequences, and warning those who transgress with a severe punishment. This is so that people do not neglect the matter of divorce, treating it according to their whims rather than the will of Allah the Exalted and Mighty. It is also named “The Lesser Surah of Women” because it contains some rulings concerning women. Al-Suyuti stated: “The Greater or Longer Surah of Women,” distinguishing it from the Lesser Surah of Women. This indicates the honor Islam bestows upon women and its care for them, as it assigned two Surahs named after women and addressed many aspects of their lives.
Reason for the Revelation of the Surah
It is narrated that Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) divorced his wife while she was menstruating during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Umar asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) about this. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: “Tell him to take her back, then retain her until she becomes pure. Then, when she menstruates and becomes pure again, if he wishes, he may keep her; if he wishes, he may divorce her before touching her. That is the waiting period (Iddah) which Allah has commanded for divorcing women.”
(This lecture was delivered at the Fatima Al-Jassar Mosque in the Al-Shuhada area.)
