(232) “When you divorce women and they have completed their appointed term, do not prevent them from remarrying their former husbands if they mutually agree on honorable terms. This is an admonition for whoever among you believes in Allah and the Last Day. That is more virtuous and purer for you. Allah knows, whereas you do not know.”

This is addressed to the guardians of a woman who has been divorced fewer than three times, once she has completed her waiting period. If her former husband wishes to marry her again and she consents, her guardian—whether her father or someone else—may not obstruct her; that is, prevent her from marrying him out of resentment, anger toward him, and disgust at his having divorced her previously.

Allah states that anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day will be restrained by his faith from obstructing the marriage. Allowing it is more virtuous, purer, and better for you than what the guardian may suppose ⦗104⦘—namely, that refusing to marry her to him is prudent and proper, and that he should answer the man’s prior divorce by refusing to contract the marriage for him (1), as is the custom of the haughty and arrogant.

If he believes that refusing the marriage serves their best interests, then Allah “knows, whereas you do not know.” Therefore, comply with the command of Him who knows your best interests, wills them for you, has power to bring them about, and facilitates them in ways you know and ways you do not.

This verse also proves that a guardian is indispensable for marriage, for Allah forbade guardians from obstructing it, and He would only forbid them something over which they have authority and in which they have a right.

Then Allah Most High said: