What does the Quran say about marriage and divorce?
The Qur’an describes marriage as a sign of God, placing tranquillity, affection and mercy between spouses Qur’an 30:21, and calls husband and wife garments for one another Qur’an 2:187. It requires the bridal gift to be given to the wife herself Qur’an 4:4, instructs living together in kindness Qur’an 4:19, and where a marriage ends, requires release on good terms rather than harm Qur’an 2:231. Its permission for more than one wife is conditional, and the condition is stated in the same verse Qur’an 4:3.
How does the Qur’an describe marriage?
Qur’an 30:21 presents it among the signs of God: that He created mates for you from yourselves so that you may find tranquillity in them, and placed between you affection and mercy — closing that in this are signs for a people who reflect. Qur’an 2:187 uses an image of closeness and mutual protection: they are a garment for you and you are a garment for them. Neither verse describes marriage primarily as a transaction or an obligation.
What rights does the Qur’an give a wife?
The mahr, the bridal gift, is hers. Qur’an 4:4 instructs giving women their bridal gifts graciously, and adds that if they of their own accord remit any of it, it may be received — the choice is the wife’s. Qur’an 4:19 forbids inheriting women against their will, forbids pressuring a wife to give back part of what was given her, and instructs living with them in kindness — adding that you may dislike a thing in which God has placed much good. Qur’an 2:228 states that women have rights similar to those expected of them, according to what is reasonable.
What does the Qur’an say about polygamy?
It permits it under a condition, and the condition is not separable from the permission. Qur’an 4:3 opens by addressing the fair treatment of orphans, and then permits marrying two, three or four — followed immediately by: but if you fear you will not be just, then one. The verse continues that this is more suitable that you may not incline to injustice. Qur’an 4:129 then states that you will never be able to be just between wives, however much you strive — and instructs not to incline entirely toward one, leaving another suspended. The permission and the condition are both in the text, and readers have long differed over how demanding the condition is meant to be. The passage’s opening context concerning orphans is also often dropped when the verse is quoted alone.
How does the Qur’an handle divorce?
As a permitted last resort, with the manner of it regulated closely. Qur’an 4:35 instructs, where a breach is feared, appointing an arbitrator from his family and one from hers, seeking reconciliation. Qur’an 2:229 states that divorce is twice, then either keeping in an acceptable manner or releasing with good treatment. Qur’an 2:231 is emphatic: when the waiting term is fulfilled, either retain them on acceptable terms or release them on acceptable terms — and do not keep them intending harm, to transgress. Qur’an 2:228 sets a waiting period of three cycles, and Qur’an 65:1 sets out the procedure. Qur’an 2:232 then forbids preventing a divorced woman from remarrying a former husband where they agree between themselves on acceptable terms.
Does the Qur’an require consent?
Qur’an 4:19 forbids inheriting women by compulsion — the practice of treating a widow as part of an estate — which is a direct statement that a woman is not transferable property in marriage. Qur’an 30:21 describes the purpose as tranquillity and mutual affection, and Qur’an 4:21 refers to marriage as a solemn covenant taken between the parties. The detailed rules on consent are developed in jurisprudence, and this page marks that boundary.
Common questions
- Does the Qur’an allow four wives?
- Qur’an 4:3 permits two, three or four — and in the same verse says that if you fear you will not be just, then one. Qur’an 4:129 adds that you will never be able to be just between them however much you try.
- Who receives the mahr in Islam?
- The wife herself. Qur’an 4:4 instructs giving women their bridal gifts graciously, and leaves any remission of it to her own choice.
- What does the Qur’an say about divorce?
- It permits it while regulating the manner. Qur’an 4:35 calls for arbitration first, Qur’an 2:229 limits the revocable divorce to twice, and Qur’an 2:231 requires release on acceptable terms and forbids retaining a wife in order to harm her.
- Is marriage described positively in the Qur’an?
- Yes — as a sign of God, with tranquillity, affection and mercy placed between spouses Qur’an 30:21, and with each described as a garment for the other Qur’an 2:187.
Sources cited on this page
Every claim above is traceable. Qur’an references open with several translations side by side, since translations differ. Where a point is not settled by the Qur’an itself, the narration is named so you can see what it rests on.
The Surahs this page draws on
Every verse quoted above comes from one of these chapters. Each is set out in full — why it was revealed, and what it teaches.