Page 130 - An Index to the Qur'an

mercy from your Lord. Anyone who goes beyond mutual agreement and consultation, there is
the limits after this will receive a painful punish- nothing wrong in their doing that. If you wish to
ment. (2:178) find wet-nurses for your children, there is noth-
It is prescribed for you, when death approaches ing wrong in your doing that provided you hand
one of you and if he has some goods to leave, to over to them what you have agreed to give with
make a will in favour of his parents and relatives, correctness and courtesy. Have fear of Allah and
correctly and fairly: a duty for all those who know that Allah sees what you do. (2:233)
guard against evil. (2:180) Those of you who die leaving wives behind: they
Divorce can be pronounced two times; in which should wait by themselves for four months and
case wives may be retained with correctness and ten nights. When their waiting period comes to
courtesy or released with good will. It is not law- an end, you are not to blame for anything they do
ful for you to keep anything you have given them with themselves with correctness and courtesy.
unless a couple fear that they will not remain Allah is aware of what you do. (2:234)
within Allah’s limits. If you fear that they will not Nor is there anything wrong in any allusion to
remain within Allah’s limits, there is nothing marriage you make to a woman, nor for any you
wrong in the wife ransoming herself with some of keep to yourself. Allah knows that you will say
what she received. These are Allah’s limits, so do things to them. But do not make secret arrange-
not overstep them. Those who overstep Allah’s ments with them, rather only speak with correct-
limits are wrongdoers. (2:229) ness and courtesy. Do not finally decide on the
When you divorce women and they are near the marriage contract until the prescribed period has
end of their waiting period, then either retain come to its end. Know that Allah knows what is
them with correctness and courtesy or release in your selves, so beware of Him! And know that
them with correctness and courtesy. Do not re- Allah is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing. (2:235)
tain them by force, thus overstepping the limits. There is nothing wrong in your divorcing women
Anyone who does that has wronged himself. Do before you have touched them or allotted a
not make a mockery of Allah’s Signs. Remember dowry to them. But give them a gift–he who is
Allah’s blessing to you and the Book and wealthy according to his means and he who is
Wisdom He has sent down to you to admonish less well off according to his means–a gift to be
you. Have fear of Allah and know that Allah has given with correctness and courtesy: a duty for
knowledge of all things. (2:231) all good-doers. (2:236)
When you divorce women and they are near the Those of you who die leaving wives behind
end of their waiting period, do not prevent them should make a bequest to their wives of mainte-
from marrying their first husbands if they have nance for a year without them having to leave
mutually agreed to it with correctness and cour- their homes. But if they do leave you are not to
tesy. This is an admonition for those of you who blame for anything they do with themselves with
believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better correctness and courtesy. Allah is Almighty, All-
and purer for you. Allah knows and you do not Wise. (2:240)
know. (2:232) Divorced women should receive maintenance
Mothers should nurse their children for two full given with correctness and courtesy: a duty for
years–those who wish to complete the full term all who guard against evil. (2:241)
of nursing. It is the duty of the fathers to feed and Do not hand over to the simple-minded any
clothe them with correctness and courtesy–no property of theirs for which Allah has made you
self is charged with more than it can bear. No responsible, but provide for them and clothe
mother should be put under pressure in respect them out of it, and speak to them correctly and
of her child nor any father in respect of his child. courteously. (4:5)
The same duty is incumbent on the heir. If the Keep a close check on orphans until they reach a
couple both wish weaning to take place after marriageable age, then if you perceive that they
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