Those Who Do Not Menstruate (65:4)

A favorite verse among perverts who attempt to justify child marriage by means of the Quran is the following verse, where they twist the meaning of “wa-allāī lam yaḥiḍ’na” ( وَٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى لَمْ يَحِضْنَ ) “and those who do not menstruate” to imply that this is in reference to children.

[65:4] As for the women who have reached menopause, if you have any doubts, their interim shall be three months. As for those who do not menstruate, and discover that they are pregnant, their interim ends upon giving birth. Anyone who reverences GOD, He makes everything easy for him.

 وَٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى يَئِسْنَ مِنَ ٱلْمَحِيضِ مِن نِّسَآئِكُمْ إِنِ ٱرْتَبْتُمْ فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ ثَلَـٰثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ وَٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى لَمْ يَحِضْنَ وَأُو۟لَـٰتُ ٱلْأَحْمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَن يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِهِۦ يُسْرًا

1	wa-allāī	وَٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى	And those who
2	ya-is’na	يَئِسْنَ	[they] despaired*
3	mina	مِنَ	of*
4	l-maḥīḍi	ٱلْمَحِيضِ	the menstruation* (*reached menopause)
5	min	مِن	among
6	nisāikum	نِّسَآئِكُمْ	your women,
7	ini	إِنِ	if
8	ir’tabtum	ٱرْتَبْتُمْ	you [all] doubt,
9	faʿiddatuhunna	فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ	then their waiting period (is)
10	thalāthatu	ثَلَـٰثَةُ	three
11	ashhurin	أَشْهُرٍ	months.
12	wa-allāī	وَٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى	And those who
13	lam	لَمْ	not
14	yaḥiḍ’na	يَحِضْنَ	they menstruate,
15	wa-ulātu	وَأُو۟لَـٰتُ	and possessors of
16	l-aḥmāli	ٱلْأَحْمَالِ	[the] pregnant,
17	ajaluhunna	أَجَلُهُنَّ	their term
18	an	أَن	when
19	yaḍaʿna	يَضَعْنَ	they relieve / give birth
20	ḥamlahunna	حَمْلَهُنَّ	their load (*give birth).
21	waman	وَمَن	And whoever
22	yattaqi	يَتَّقِ	[he] reverences
23	l-laha	ٱللَّهَ	God,
24	yajʿal	يَجْعَل	He will make
25	lahu	لَّهُۥ	for him
26	min	مِنْ	of
27	amrihi	أَمْرِهِۦ	his affair / matter
28	yus’ran	يُسْرًا	easy.

Not only is this a gross interpretation, but such an interpretation also creates many contradictions.

Firstly, a favorite justification people use for child marriage is that this was a common practice in the past. Yet it doesn’t matter what the people of the past did. Their judgment is between them and God. The Quran warns us not to rely on the excuses of what individuals did in the past to ever justify sin and that God never advocates sexual immorality and vice.

[7:28] They commit a gross sin, then say, “We found our parents doing this, and GOD has commanded us to do it.” Say, “GOD never advocates sin. Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?”

وَإِذَا فَعَلُوا۟ فَـٰحِشَةً قَالُوا۟ وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهَآ ءَابَآءَنَا وَٱللَّهُ أَمَرَنَا بِهَا قُلْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْفَحْشَآءِ أَتَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

Secondly, as stated in a previous article, children are not eligible for marriage according to the Quran. This is because the requirement for a person to marry is that they must be both physiologically and mentally mature (4:6). If these two basic requirements are not met, then the individual is not suitable for marriage.

The verse above discusses the interim period that is necessary between a husband and wife if they choose to divorce. Since children cannot be married, this verse cannot be regarding them, and such an understanding would be a gross twisting of the meaning of the verse.

Since this expression is not about children and also not about women who reached menopause, then who is this verse addressing?

This expression is regarding full-grown women who do not menstruate. This understanding is consistent with the rest of the Quran and does not form numerous contradictions or equate an immoral action to God.

There are many reasons why a woman may not menstruate. Below is a list of some of the possible reasons.

1. Pregnancy: The most common reason for a missed period is pregnancy. If a woman is sexually active and experiences a missed period, it is advisable to take a pregnancy test.
2. Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal imbalances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can disrupt the regular menstrual cycle. PCOS is characterized by an imbalance of reproductive hormones, which can lead to irregular or absent periods.
3. Stress: High levels of stress, whether physical or emotional, can disrupt the normal hormonal balance and lead to missed or delayed periods. This can include intense exercise, significant weight loss or gain, emotional trauma, or chronic illness.
4. Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, pituitary gland disorders, or premature ovarian failure, can affect menstrual regularity. These conditions can disrupt hormone production and impact the menstrual cycle.
5. Medications and Contraceptives: Certain medications, such as hormonal contraceptives (e.g., birth control pills, intrauterine devices) or certain medications used to treat specific health conditions, may affect the menstrual cycle.
6. Polyps, Fibroids, or Uterine Abnormalities: Structural abnormalities of the uterus, such as polyps or fibroids, can interfere with menstruation. Additionally, certain congenital conditions or scarring from previous surgeries may contribute to the absence of menstruation.
7. Athletic amenorrhea: This condition is commonly observed in female athletes or women with very low body weight. Inadequate body fat can disrupt the production and balance of reproductive hormones, specifically estrogen, which is necessary for the menstrual cycle.

Despite the obvious fact, that 65:4 is not about children some people continue to attribute these kinds of lies to God and the Quran.

[4:50] Note how they fabricate lies about GOD; what a gross offense this is!

 ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِۦٓ إِثْمًا مُّبِينًا

[6:21] Who is more evil than one who lies about GOD, or rejects His revelations? The transgressors never succeed.

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ