Chapter 2: Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow), verses 232-233
Translation:
If a man has renounced his wife and she has reached the end of her waiting period, do not prevent her from remarrying her husband, if they have come to an honourable agreement. This is enjoined on every one of you who believes in God and the last Day. It is more honourable for you and more chaste. God knows but you do not. Mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years if the father wishes the suckling to be completed. They must be maintained and clothed by the father in a reasonable manner. No soul shall be taxed beyond its capacity: a mother shall not be made to suffer on account of her child; nor a father on account of his child. And a similar duty devolves upon the father’s heir. But if both desire weaning by mutual consent and counsel, they shall not be blamed on this account. And if you wish to engage a wet-nurse for your children you will incur no blame provided you pay what you promised according to custom. Fear God and know that God sees all that you do.” (2:232-233)
Commentary:
A man divorced his wife and did not return to her during the time of waiting. After her time of waiting had come to an end, he had second thoughts and, along with some other prospective husbands, he too made her a proposal of marriage. The woman was willing to remarry her former husband, but her brother would have none of it. He sought to thwart their reunion, but the Qur’an decreed that when both agree between themselves in a lawful manner, they should not be prevented from being reunited.
After
divorce, many matters remain to be cleared up. Sometimes the husband and wife
wish to remarry; or maybe the woman wishes to have a new husband. On no account
should obstacles be placed in their path. A woman may well have children from
her former husband. May be they are infants, who have to be suckled. This being
the case, the man and the woman should not cause trouble for one another. Rather
than make the matter an emotional issue between them, they should settle it by
mutual counsel and consent. This is how a believer should settle matters
involving conflict and separation. The interests of both parties should be
respected, with neither party seeking to inconvenience the other. Attempts
should be made to settle the dispute in a manner acceptable to both sides. This
is the cleaner, purer way of settling disputes, a method befitting those whose
souls have been purified by true belief.