The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

b
He will
a
The Qur
an.
b
The Arabic taghabun is reciprocal from ghabina, ‘to neglect or forget’. Everyone
will be so preoccupied with their own fate that they will neglect everyone else
(cf. 
70: 10–11; 80: 34–7).

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cancel the sins of those who believed in Him and acted righteously:
He will admit them into Gardens graced with 
flowing streams,
there to remain for ever –
– the supreme triumph. 
10But those who
disbelieved and rejected Our signs will be the inhabitants of the Fire,
there to remain –
– a miserable destination.
11Misfortunes can only happen with God’s permission
a
–– He will
guide the heart of anyone who believes in Him: God knows all
things ––
12so obey God and the Messenger. If you turn away,
remember that Our Messenger’s duty is only to make plain his
message. 
13God! There is no god but Him, so let the faithful put
their trust in Him. 
14Believers, even among your spouses and your
children you have some enemies –
– beware of them –
– but if you
overlook their o
ffences, forgive them, pardon them, then God is all
forgiving, all merciful.
15Your wealth and your children are only a test for you. There is
great reward with God: 
16be mindful of God as much as you can;
hear and obey; be charitable –
– it is for your own good. Those who are
saved from their own meanness will be the prosperous ones: 
17if you
make a generous loan to God He will multiply it for you and forgive
you. God is ever thankful and forbearing; 
18He knows the unseen, as
well as the seen; He is the Almighty, the Wise.
a
Abu Muslim gives the explanation that some of the believers’ families tried to
dissuade them from emigrating and from jihad because they feared for their safety
(Razi). See verse 
14.
Mutual Neglect
377
64: 18

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65. DIVORCE
A Medinan sura that outlines regulations concerning divorce (verses 
1–7). The
sura strongly urges people to observe God’s regulations and guidance. To
reinforce this they are reminded of the fate of earlier disobedient peoples and the
rewards of the obedient. God’s power and knowledge are emphasized at the end
(verse 
12).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1Prophet, when any of you intend to divorce women, do so at a time
when their prescribed waiting period can properly start,
a
and calcu-
late the period carefully: be mindful of God, your Lord. Do not drive
them out of their homes –– nor should they themselves leave –– unless
they commit a 
flagrant indecency. These are the limits set by God––
whoever oversteps God’s limits wrongs his own soul –– for you
cannot know what new situation God may perhaps bring about.
2When they have completed their appointed term, either keep
them honourably, or part with them honourably. Call two just wit-
nesses from your people and establish witness for the sake of God.
Anyone who believes in God and the Last Day should heed this:
God will 
find a way out for those who are mindful of Him, 3and will
provide for them from an unexpected source; God will be enough for
those who put their trust in Him. God achieves His purpose; God
has set a due measure for everything.
4If you are in doubt, the period of waiting will be three months for
those women who have ceased menstruating and for those who have
not [yet] menstruated; the waiting period of those who are pregnant
will be until they deliver their burden: God makes things easy for
those who are mindful of Him. 
5This is God’s command, which He
has sent down to you. God will wipe out the sinful deeds and
increase the rewards of anyone who is mindful of Him.
6House the wives you are divorcing according to your means,
wherever you house yourselves, and do not harass them so as to
make their lives di
fficult. If they are pregnant, maintain them
a
The waiting period starts properly after menstruation and before intercourse is
resumed, and lasts for three menstrual cycles.

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until they are delivered of their burdens; if they suckle your infants,
pay them for it. Consult together in a good way –
– if you make
di
fficulties for one another, another woman may suckle the child for
the father
a
––
7and let the wealthy man spend according to his wealth.
But let him whose provision is restricted spend according to what
God has given him: God does not burden any soul with more than
He has given it –
– after hardship, God will bring ease.
8Many a town that insolently opposed the command of its Lord
and His messengers We have brought sternly to account: We
punished them severely 
9to make them taste the ill effect of their
conduct –
– the result of their conduct was ruin. 
10God has prepared a
severe torment for them.
So, you who have understanding, you who believe, beware of God.
He has sent you the Qur
an 11and a messenger–– reciting to you
God’s revelations that make things clear –
– to bring those who believe
and do righteous deeds from darkness into light. God will admit
those who believe in Him and do righteous deeds into Gardens
graced with 
flowing streams, where they will remain for ever–– He
has made good provision for them.
12It is God who created seven heavens and a similar [number]
of earths. His command
b
descends throughout them. So you should
realize that He has power over all things and that His knowledge
encompasses everything.