Page 145 - Mary: An Exemplary Muslim Woman

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... Provide for them—He who is wealthy according
to his means, and he who is less well off according
to his means—a provision to be given with correct-
ness and courtesy: a duty for all good-doers. (Surat
al-Baqara: 236)
He who has plenty should spend out of his plenty
(to those women he divorces), but he whose provi-
sion is restricted should spend from what Allah has
given him. Allah does not demand from anyone
more than He has given it. Allah will appoint, after
difficulty, ease. (Surat at-Talaq: 7)

In other words, Allah holds everyone, without
exception, responsible according to their financial
means and requires them to pay a suitable mainte-
nance. Some unbelievers consider it a waste of mon-
ey to pay alimony to their ex-wives, because they
neither believe in the Hereafter nor seek Allah's good
pleasure. Since they only wish to safeguard their
self-interest, they consider pointless to act selflessly
toward someone from whom they are estranged and
thus can expect no benefit. For this reason, they seek
to avoid this responsibility, at least partially or com-
pletely. On the other hand, male believers, as men-
tioned above, continue to treat their ex-
wives well and do what