Page 768 - An Index to the Qur'an

end of their waiting period, do not prevent them touched them, there is no waiting period for you
from marrying their first husbands if they have to calculate for them, so give them a gift and let
mutually agreed to it with correctness and cour- them go with kindness. (33:49)
tesy. This is an admonition for those of you who O Prophet! When any of you divorce women, di-
believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better vorce them during their period of purity and cal-
and purer for you. Allah knows and you do not culate their waiting period carefully. And have
know. Mothers should nurse their children for fear of Allah, your Lord. Do not evict them from
two full years–those who wish to complete the their homes, nor should they leave, unless they
full term of nursing. It is the duty of the fathers to commit an outright indecency. Those are Allah’s
feed and clothe them with correctness and cour- limits, and anyone who oversteps Allah’s limits
tesy–no self is charged with more than it can has wronged himself. You never know, it may
bear. No mother should be put under pressure in well be that after that Allah will cause a new sit-
respect of her child nor any father in respect of uation to develop. Then when they have reached
his child. The same duty is incumbent on the the end of their waiting period either retain them
heir. If the couple both wish weaning to take with correctness and courtesy or part from them
place after mutual agreement and consultation, with correctness and courtesy. Call two upright
there is nothing wrong in their doing that. If you men from among yourselves as witnesses and
wish to find wet-nurses for your children, there is they should carry out the witnessing for Allah.
nothing wrong in your doing that provided you This is admonishment for all who believe in
hand over to them what you have agreed to give Allah and the Last Day. Whoever has fear of
with correctness and courtesy. Have fear of Allah Allah–He will give him a way out and provide for
and know that Allah sees what you do. Those of him from where he does not expect. Whoever
you who die leaving wives behind: they should puts his trust in Allah–He will be enough for him.
wait by themselves for four months and ten Allah always achieves His aim. Allah has ap-
nights. When their waiting period comes to an pointed a measure for all things. In the case of
end, you are not to blame for anything they do those of your wives who are past the age of men-
with themselves with correctness and courtesy. struation, if you have any doubt, their waiting pe-
Allah is aware of what you do. (2:232-234) riod should be three months, and that also
Nor is there anything wrong in any allusion to applies to those who have not yet menstruated.
marriage you make to a woman, nor for any you The time for women who are pregnant is when
keep to yourself. Allah knows that you will say they give birth. Whoever has fear of Allah–He
things to them. But do not make secret arrange- will make matters easy for him. That is Allah’s
ments with them, rather only speak with correct- command which He has sent down to you.
ness and courtesy. Do not finally decide on the Whoever has fear of Allah–He will erase his bad
marriage contract until the prescribed period has actions from him and greatly increase his reward.
come to its end. Know that Allah knows what is Let them live where you live, according to your
in your selves, so beware of Him! And know that means. Do not put pressure on them, so as to ha-
Allah is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing. (2:235) rass them. If they are pregnant, maintain them
Those of you who die leaving wives behind until they give birth. If they are suckling for you,
should make a bequest to their wives of mainte- give them their wages and consult together with
nance for a year without them having to leave correctness and courtesy. But if you make things
their homes. But if they do leave you are not to difficult for one another, another woman should
blame for anything they do with themselves with do the suckling for you. He who has plenty
correctness and courtesy. Allah is Almighty, All- should spend out from his plenty, but he whose
Wise. (2:240) provision is restricted should spend from what
You who believe! When you marry believing Allah has given him. Allah does not demand
women and then divorce them before you have from any self more than He has given it. Allah
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