"And how could you take it while some of you have already had intimacy (ifda') with others," meaning: sexual intercourse, "and they have taken from you a solemn covenant," which is His saying: "Retention on reasonable terms or release with kindness," according to the tafsir of Qatada.
Qatada said: It was in the marriage contract of the Muslims at the time of their marriage: By God, you shall either retain her or release her.
﴿وَكَيْفَ تَأْخُذُونَهُ وَقَدْ أَفْضَى بَعْضُكُمْ إِلَى بعض﴾ يَعْنِي: المجامعة ﴿وَأَخَذْنَ مِنْكُمْ مِيثَاقًا غليظا﴾ هُوَ قَوْله: ﴿إمْسَاك بِمَعْرُوف أَو تَسْرِيح بِإِحْسَان﴾ فِي تَفْسِير قَتَادَة.
قَالَ قَتَادَة: وَقد كَانَت فِي عقد الْمُسلمين عِنْد نكاحهم: الله عَلَيْك لتمسكن
