Comparative Studies of Quran

Comparative Studies of Quran

A Critical Analysis of Sunni and Shiʿi Exegetes’ Views on the Type of Divorce (Revocable or Irrevocable) Following an Oath of Abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ) in Verses 226 and 227 of Surah Al-Baqarah

Document Type : Original

Authors
Ehsan Ebrahimi 1
Sakineh Mirzaie 2
Narjes Sadat Mohseni 3
1 Assistant Professor, Interpretation Department, Al-Mustafa University, Qom, Iran.
2 Level 4 student, Comparative Interpretation, Sediqeh Kubra (peace be upon him) Teacher Training Center, Qom, Iran.
3 Graduated from Level 4, Comparative Interpretation, Masoomiyeh (peace be upon him) Seminary Higher Education Institute (for Women), Qom, Iran.
10.22034/csq.2025.477071.1465
Abstract
Detailed Abstract
Purpose of the Research: The present study seeks to criticize the views of the Shia and Sunni Qur’anic exegetes on the type of divorce after the oath of abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ) in verses 226 and 227 of Surah Al-Baqarah. The oath of abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ) was one of the challenges of living together in the pre-Islamic Arab era, committed by men to harm women. Therefore, the Holy Qur’an promulgated laws against it so that women could gain their rightful value and rights in society. Given the importance of this issue as an interpretative, jurisprudential, and legal challenge to women in today's society, it is necessary to determine the type of divorce that occurred in the oath of abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ). Is it considered irrevocable, so that the man has no right of recourse, or is it considered a revocable divorce, which leaves the man with the right of recourse? Re-examining the issue of the type of divorce in the oath of abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ)  from the perspective of the Qur’anic verses and delving into the functions and goals of divorce in the Qur’an can resolve unknown dimensions and doubts surrounding this issue and explain the correct perspective of the Holy Qur’an in this regard. In this way, the rights and duties of each man and woman in such problems can be explained and many of the tyrannies and rebellions of some men in the family system in today's society can be prevented.
Research Method: To conduct this research, library and documentary methods were used to collect research data. In addition, the descriptive-analytical method is used for converting the collected data into information and to reach the desired outcomes. First, the opinions of the Qur’anic exegetes were collected from the reliable exegetical sources of both the Shia and the Sunni. Thereafter, the opinions raised regarding the research topic were criticized for using content analysis, relying on Qur’anic, narrative, and literary evidence, as well as citing Shia and Sunni exegetical and jurisprudential sources.
Findings: The findings of this study show that the view of realizing irrevocable divorce after the oath of abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ) faces challenges because the argument based on the contrast between the expressions "they return" and " they resolve upon divorce " in the Qur’anic verses is incomplete. On the other hand, divorce after the oath of abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ) is outside the realm of irrevocable divorce. In addition, in contrast to the hadiths indicating irrevocable divorce, there are conflicting hadiths that this group of hadiths does not have the authority to resist. The view that the realization of revocable divorce is based on the principle of revocability also does not seem accurate, because the argument based on this principle depends on the absence of reason to the contrary. While the cases covered by irrevocable divorce are ignored in the issue of the oath of abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ), the possibility of such conditions being fulfilled is not ruled out. According to the chosen view, the verse in question and the narrations interpreting it are applicable; therefore, the aforementioned divorce is absolute and must be considered in detail. This means that divorce after the oath of abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ) can be irrevocable or revocable, depending on conditions such as the woman's minor age, the number of divorces, and the woman's payment of donations and ransom.
Final result: Finally, this research shows that the divorce mentioned in the verse in question and the narrations interpreting it is applicable and the issue should be considered in detail. This means that divorce after the oath of abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ) can be irrevocable or revocable, depending on conditions such as the woman's minor age, the number of divorces, and the woman's payment of donations and ransom. This research can be cited as a reliable source for researchers in the field of studying the type of divorce in the oath of abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ), to explain the correct view of the Holy Qur’an in this field and to explain the rights and duties of each man and woman in such problems, and as a result, important effects can be achieved in improving the legal conditions of women in today's civil society.
 
Keywords
The Oath of Abstinence (ʾĪlāʾ)
Irrevocable Divorce (Ṭalāq Bāʾin)
Revocable Divorce (Ṭalāq Rajʿī)
Verses 2:226–227 of al-Baqarah
Verses of Rulings (Āyāt al-Aḥkām)
Qur’anic Jurisprudence (Fiqh al-Qurʾān)
Family Law

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 05 September 2024
  • Revise Date 27 October 2024
  • Accept Date 10 March 2025
  • Publish Date 15 March 2025