Surah Al-Mujadilah — Verse 3

Word Meanings:

• Yuẓāhirūn – The pre-Islamic practice where a husband says to his wife, "You are to me like the back of my mother," thereby declaring her forbidden to him like his mother. It was a form of divorce and humiliation.
• Thumma yaʿūdūn li-mā qālū – They intend to return to what they said, meaning they wish to retract their statement and resume marital relations with their wives.
• Taḥrīru raqabah – Freeing a slave (a believing male or female slave).
• Yatamāssā – A euphemism for sexual intercourse between husband and wife.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This noble verse addresses a serious matter from the pre-Islamic era of ignorance that Islam came to correct and purify. The practice of *ẓihār* — where a man would say to his wife, "You are to me like the back of my mother" — was a cruel and unjust way of abandoning a wife without proper divorce, leaving her in a state of limbo, neither married nor free.

Islam, in its perfect justice and mercy, did not leave this matter unaddressed. The verse begins by stating: "And those who pronounce ẓihār from their wives and then wish to go back on what they said" — meaning, they realize the gravity of their words and desire to resume a normal marital relationship with their wives. For such people, Allah has prescribed a clear and structured path of repentance and atonement.

The first step of this atonement is: "then [the penalty is] the freeing of a slave before they touch each other." This means the husband must free a believing slave — male or female — as an expiation, and this must be done *before* any physical intimacy occurs between the couple. This condition is crucial; it ensures that the seriousness of the sin is acknowledged and that the remedy is implemented with sincerity and haste.

The wisdom behind this prescription is profound. By requiring the freeing of a slave, Islam simultaneously:

1. Purifies the sinner — the act of freeing a human being from bondage cleanses the heart and soul, reminding the person of the value of human dignity and the weight of their words.
2. Benefits society — every freed slave becomes a free member of the community, contributing to the gradual eradication of slavery in society.
3. Delays gratification — the requirement that this be done *before* intimacy instills discipline and self-control, making the husband truly feel the consequence of his reckless speech.

Then Allah says: "That is what you are admonished with" — meaning, this severe ruling is a lesson and a warning for you, O believers, so that you may guard your tongues and never utter such harmful words again. It is a divine teaching that words have consequences, and that the sanctity of marriage must be protected with respect and honor.

The verse concludes with a powerful reminder: "And Allah is All-Aware of what you do." Nothing escapes His knowledge — neither the words you speak in private nor the deeds you do in secret. This is both a warning and an encouragement: a warning that hypocrisy and evasion are impossible with Allah, and an encouragement that sincere repentance and righteous action are always seen and rewarded by Him.

Dear believer, reflect on the beauty of this ruling. Islam does not leave a person trapped in the consequences of a foolish utterance; rather, it opens the door to repentance and reconciliation, while teaching us the sanctity of our words and the dignity of our spouses. Let this verse inspire you to guard your tongue, honor your marriage, and rush to sincere repentance whenever you fall short. Allah's mercy is vast, and His guidance is always for your own good — in this life and the next.