Interpretation of Sura Cow - Verse 230

230. "If he divorces her (for the third time) , she shall not be lawful to him thereafter, until she marries another husband; and if he (the latter) divorces her, then it is no sin on (either of) them to return to each other (by marriage) , if they think that they can keep Allah's bounds. Those are Allah's limits; He makes them clear to a people who know.

Occasion of Revelation

Once, at the time of Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h.) , a woman came to him and said she had been the spouse of her cousin by the name of Rifa'ah, who divorced her thrice. After that, she married a man named 'Abd-ur-Rahman, but he, before any sexual relations with her, divorced her, too. Then, she asked the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) whether she could return to her first husband.

The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) did not agree and said that her marriage with that first husband was right if she had sexual intercourse with her new husband. The above verse was revealed.

Commentary

In the commentary of the previous verse this fact was briefly referred to that: after the second divorce, the couple should either follow the path of peace and kindness, or separate from each other for ever. The verse under discussion is counted as a note, indeed, added to that ordinance. It says: " If he divorces her (for the third time) , she shall not be lawful to him thereafter, until she marries another husband; and if he (the latter) divorces her, then it is no sin on (either of) them to return to each other (by marriage) , if they think that they can keep Allah's bounds.

Messages

1- Men should not misuse their conjugal rights. They ought to know that they are not free and authoritative upon their wives forever in this regard.

It is narrated from Imam Rida (a.s.) who said: " Do not take divorce light, and do not cause your wives to incur a loss." 110

2- Not every one knows the secrets and the Wisdom of the Divine laws, therefore some people, maybe, look at these instructions surprisingly, while the secrets of them are clear for those who have insight. Common people often see the apparent of these instructions, but the cognizant recognize the spirit and the depth of them.

3- Muslims should know that the limits of Allah are not liable only to prayers, alms, Hajj, and Holy War. Observing the family affairs are the limits of Allah, too.

"...Those are Allah's limits; He makes them clear to a people who know."

Notes:

110. Manlayahduruhul-Faqeeh, vol. 3, p. 502

Adapted from the book: "The Light of The Quran - Interpretation of Sura Al-Baqarah (The Cow)" by: "Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani and A Group of Muslim Scholars"