Al-Mujaadila (The Pleading Woman)

3. And those who make unlawful to them their wives by zihar and wish to redeem themselves of what they uttered, [the expiation] in that case is the manumission of a slave before they touch each other. That is an admonition to you. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

Manumission as an expiation for involuntary homicide, unredeemed oath, and zihar is attested in the Holy Qur’an¹ .

Since such abominable act could not be ignored by the Islamic faith, the blessed Verse in question says:

“Those who make unlawful to them their wives by zihar and wish to redeem themselves of what they uttered, [the expiation] in that case is the manumission of a slave before they touch each other.”

Qur’an exegetes have thought of different interpretations regarding the blessed Verse in question and in his Tafsir Kanz al-‘Irfan, FaÃil Miqdad presents six interpretations.

However, the literal sense of the word, taking into account the clause:

“before they touch each other,”

is that they repent their words and intend to return to their family life and sexual intercourse. Such interpretation is also attested in traditions narrated from Ahl al-Bayt.²

The blessed Verse proceeds to say:

“That is an admonition to you. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do,”

i.e. He is All-Aware of your zihar, refraining from expiation, and your intentions.