Page 452 - An Index to the Qur'an

clear to people so that hopefully they will pay who are wealthy should abstain from it alto-
heed. (2:221) gether. Those who are poor should use it sensibly
But if a man divorces his wife a third time, she is and correctly. When you hand over their prop-
not lawful for him after that until she has married erty to them ensure that there are witnesses on
another husband. Then if he divorces her, there is their behalf. Allah suffices as a Reckoner. (4:6)
nothing wrong in the original couple getting You who believe! It is not lawful for you to in-
back together provided they think they will re- herit women by force. Nor may you treat them
main within Allah’s limits. These are Allah’s lim- harshly so that you can make off with part of
its which he has made clear to people who what you have given them, unless they commit
know. (2:230) an act of flagrant indecency. Live together with
When you divorce women and they are near the them correctly and courteously. If you dislike
end of their waiting period, do not prevent them them, it may well be that you dislike something
from marrying their first husbands if they have in which Allah has placed a lot of good. (4:19)
mutually agreed to it with correctness and cour- Do not marry any women your fathers mar-
tesy. This is an admonition for those of you who ried–except for what may have already taken
believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better place. That is an indecent act, a loathsome thing
and purer for you. Allah knows and you do not and an evil path. (4:22)
know. (2:232) Forbidden for you are: your mothers and your
Nor is there anything wrong in any allusion to daughters and your sisters, your maternal aunts
marriage you make to a woman, nor for any you and your paternal aunts, your brothers’ daughters
keep to yourself. Allah knows that you will say and your sisters’ daughters, your foster mothers
things to them. But do not make secret arrange- who have suckled you, your foster sisters by
ments with them, rather only speak with correct- suckling, your wives’ mothers, your stepdaugh-
ness and courtesy. Do not finally decide on the ters who are under your protection: the daugh-
marriage contract until the prescribed period has ters of your wives whom you have had sexual
come to its end. Know that Allah knows what is relations with (though if you have not had sexual
in your selves, so beware of Him! And know that relations with them there is nothing blameworthy
Allah is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing. (2:235) for you in it then), the wives of your sons whom
If you divorce them before you have touched you have fathered, and marrying two sisters at
them but have already allotted them a dowry, the same time–except for what may have already
they should have half the amount which you al- taken place. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most
lotted, unless they forgo it or the one in charge of Merciful. (4:23)
the marriage contract forgoes it. To forgo it is And also married women, except for those you
closer to heedfulness. Do not forget to show gen- have taken in war as slaves. This is what Allah has
erosity to one another. Allah sees what you do. prescribed for you. Apart from that He has made
(2:237) all other women lawful for you provided you seek
If you are afraid of not behaving justly towards them with your wealth in marriage and not in for-
orphans, then marry other permissible women, nication. When you consummate your marriage
two, three or four. But if you are afraid of not with them give them their prescribed dowry. There
treating them equally, then only one, or those is nothing wrong in any further agreement you
you own as slaves. That makes it more likely that might come to after the dowry has been given.
you will not be unfair. (4:3) Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (4:24)
Keep a close check on orphans until they reach a If any of you do not have the means to marry free
marriageable age, then if you perceive that they women who are believers, you may marry slave-
have sound judgement hand over their property girls who are believers. Allah knows best about
to them. Do not consume it extravagantly and your faith; you are all the same in that respect.
precipitately before they come of age. Those Marry them with their owners’ permission and
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