The origin of 'shiqaq' between them is 'shiqaqan baynahuma', so 'shiqaq' is added to the circumstance in a broad sense, like His saying: 'Rather, it is the plotting of the night and the day.' Its origin is: 'Rather, plotting in the night and the day.' Or it is that 'bayn' is made into 'shaqaq' and 'the night and the day' are made into plotters, as they say: 'Your day is fasting.' The pronoun refers to the two spouses. Their mention is not made because what indicates them is mentioned, which is the men and women. A judge from their people is a man who is knowledgeable and agreeable, suitable for the governance of justice and reform between them. The reason for sending the two judges from their families is that relatives are more aware of the inner states and more eager for reconciliation. The souls of the two spouses find comfort in them, and they reveal to them what is in their hearts of love and hatred, the desire for companionship and separation, and the causes and implications of that, which they conceal from outsiders and do not wish for them to know. If you say: Do they have the authority to reconcile them or separate them if they see that? I say: There is a difference of opinion on this. Some say: It is not up to them except with the permission of the two spouses. Others say: It is up to them, and they have been made judges only to act according to what their reasoning dictates. And from Ubaidah al-Salmani: I witnessed Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, when a woman came to him with her husband, and each of them had a group of people with them. He brought out these as judges and those as judges. Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said to the judges: Do you know what is upon you? If you see that they should separate, then separate them; and if you see that they should reconcile, then reconcile them. The husband said: As for separation, no. Ali said: By Allah, you will not leave until you accept the Book of Allah for you and against you. The woman said: I accept the Book of Allah for me and for him. And from al-Hasan: They should reconcile and not separate. And from al-Sha'bi: Whatever the two judges decide is valid. The 'alif' in 'in yureeda islahan' refers to the two judges. In 'yuwaffiq Allah baynahuma' for the two spouses, it means that if they intend to reform the relationship and their intention is sincere and their hearts are honest for the sake of Allah, then their mediation is blessed. Allah will bring about reconciliation and affection between the two spouses, and He will instill in their hearts love and mercy. It is said that the pronouns refer to the judges, meaning that if they intend to reform the relationship and give counsel to the two spouses, Allah will bring them together, so they agree on a single word and support each other in seeking reconciliation until the goal is achieved and the desired outcome is fulfilled. It is also said that the pronouns refer to the spouses, meaning that if they want to reform what is between them and seek goodness and remove the discord from them, Allah will place affection between them, replacing discord with harmony and hatred with love. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware; He knows how to reconcile between those who differ and bring together those who are separated. 'If you had spent all that is in the earth, you would not have brought their hearts together, but Allah brought them together.'