Page 223 - General Knowledge from the Qur'an

Oaths in the Qur'an 221

THE DECREE REGARDING ONE'S SWEARING
TO EQUATE HIS WIFE WITH HIS MOTHER (ZIHAR)

Those of you who divorce your wives by equating them with your
mothers, they are not your mothers. Your mothers are only those who
gave birth to you. What you are saying is wrong and a slanderous lie.
But Allah is Ever-Pardoning, Ever-Forgiving. Those who divorce their
wives by equating them with their mothers, and then wish to go back
on what they said, must set free a slave before the two of them may
touch one another. This is what you are enjoined to do. Allah is aware
of what you do. (Surat al-Mujadala, 2-3)
Allah has not allotted to any man two hearts within his breast, nor
has He made those of your wives you equate with your mothers your
actual mothers, nor has He made your adopted sons your actual sons.
These are just words coming out of your mouths. But Allah speaks the
truth and He guides to the Way. (Surat al-Ahzab, 4)

THE DECREE REGARDING THOSE WHO SWEAR
TO ABSTAIN FROM THEIR WIVES
For those who take an oath for abstention from their wives, a wait-
ing for four months is ordained; if then they return, Allah is Ever-For-
giving, Most Merciful. (Surat al-Baqara, 226)

THE EXPIATION OF OATHS
Allah has made the expiation of your oaths obligatory for you. Allah is
your Master – He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. (Surat at-Tahrim, 2)
Allah does not take you to task for your inadvertent oaths, but He
will take you to task for oaths you make intentionally. The expiation in
that case is to feed ten poor people with the average amount you feed
your family, or clothe them, or free a slave. Anyone without the means
to do so should fast three days. That is the expiation for breaking oaths
when you have sworn them. Keep your oaths. In this way Allah makes
His Signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will be thankful. (Surat al-
Ma'ida, 89)