Page 103 - An Index to the Qur'an

Those We have given the Book recognise it as in the presence of Allah. (3:14)
they recognise their own sons. Yet a group of When she gave birth, she said, ‘My Lord! I have
them knowingly conceal the truth. (2:146) given birth to a girl’–and Allah knew very well
Mothers should nurse their children for two full what she had given birth to, male and female are
years–those who wish to complete the full term not the same–‘and I have named her Maryam
of nursing. It is the duty of the fathers to feed and and placed her and her children in Your safe-
clothe them with correctness and courtesy–no keeping from the accursed Satan.’ (3:36)
self is charged with more than it can bear. No Then and there Zakariyya called on his Lord and
mother should be put under pressure in respect said, ‘O Lord, grant me by Your favour an upright
of her child nor any father in respect of his child. child. You are the Hearer of Prayer.’ (3:38)
The same duty is incumbent on the heir. If the She (Maryam) said, ‘My Lord! How can I have a
couple both wish weaning to take place after son when no man has ever touched me?’ He
mutual agreement and consultation, there is said, ‘It will be so.’ Allah creates whatever He
nothing wrong in their doing that. If you wish to wills. When He decides on something, He just
find wet-nurses for your children, there is noth- says to it, ‘Be!’ and it is. (3:47)
ing wrong in your doing that provided you hand As for those who disbelieve, their wealth and
over to them what you have agreed to give with children will not help them against Allah in any
correctness and courtesy. Have fear of Allah and way. They are the Companions of the Fire. re-
know that Allah sees what you do. (2:233) maining in it timelessly, for ever. (3:116)
What do you think about the council of the tribe People should show concern in the same way
of Israel after Musa’s time when they said to one that they would fear for small children if they
of their Prophets, ‘Give us a king and we will were to die leaving them behind. They should
fight in the Way of Allah!’? He said, ‘Is it not pos- have fear of Allah and say words that are appro-
sible that if fighting were prescribed for you, you priate. (4:9)
would not fight?’ They said, ‘How could we not Allah instructs you regarding your children: A
fight in the way of Allah when we have been male receives the same as the share of two fe-
driven from our homes and children?’ But then males. If there are more than two daughters they
when fighting was prescribed for them, they receive two-thirds of what you leave. If she is one
turned their backs–except for a few of them. on her own she receives a half. Each of your par-
Allah knows the wrongdoers. (2:246) ents receives a sixth of what you leave if you
Would any of you like to have a garden of dates have children. If you are childless and your heirs
and grapes, with rivers flowing underneath and are your parents your mother receives a third. If
containing all kinds of fruits, then to be stricken you have brothers or sisters your mother receives
with old age and have children who are weak, a sixth, after any bequest you make or any debts.
and then for a fierce whirlwind containing fire to With regard to your fathers and your sons, you
come and strike it so that it goes up in flames? In do not know which of them is going to benefit
this way Allah makes His Signs clear to you, so you more. These are obligatory shares from
that hopefully you will reflect. (2:266) Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (4:11)
As for those who disbelieve, their wealth and You receive half of what your wives leave if they
children will not help them against Allah in any are childless. If they have children you receive a
way. They are fuel for the Fire. (3:10) quarter of what they leave after any bequest they
To mankind the love of worldly appetites is make or any debts. They receive a quarter of
painted in glowing colours: women and chil- what you leave if you are childless. If you have
dren, and heaped-up mounds of gold and silver, children they receive an eighth of what you leave
and horses with fine markings, and livestock and after any bequest you make or any debts. If a
fertile farmland. All that is merely the enjoyment man or woman has no direct heirs, but has a
of the life of this world. The best homecoming is brother or sister, each of them receives a sixth. If
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