ENTITLED, DIVORCE; REVEALED AT MEDINA.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.
O PROPHET, when ye divorce women, put them away at their appointed term;d
and compute the term exactly: and fear GOD, your LORD. Oblige them not to go
out of their apartments, neither let them go out, until the term be expired,
unless they be guilty of manifest uncleanness. These are the statutes of GOD:
and whoever transgresseth the statutes of GOD assuredly injureth his own soul.
Thou knowest not whether GOD will bring something new to pass, which may
reconcile them after this.
And when they shall have fulfilled their term, either retain them with
kindness, or part from them honourably: and take witnesses from among you, men
of integrity; and give your testimony as in the presence of GOD. This
admonition is given unto him who believeth in GOD and the last day: and whoso
feareth GOD, unto him will he grant a happy issue out of all his afflictions,
and he will bestow on him an ample provision from whence he expecteth it not:
and whoso trusteth in GOD, he will be his sufficient support; for GOD
will surely attain his purpose. Now hath GOD appointed unto everything a
determined period.
As to such of your wives as shall despair having their courses, by reason
of their age; if ye be in doubt thereof, let their term be three months: and
let the same be the term of those who have not yet had their courses. But as
to those who are pregnant, their term shall be, until they be delivered of
their burden.e And whoso feareth GOD, unto him will he make his command easy.
This is the command of GOD, which he hath sent down unto you. And whoso
feareth GOD, he will expiate his evil deeds from him, and will increase his
reward.
d That is, when they shall have had their courses thrice after the time
of their divorce, if they prove not to be with child; or, if they prove with
child, when they shall have been delivered.1 Al Beidâwi supposes husbands are
hereby commanded to divorce their wives while they are clean; and says that
the passage was revealed on account of Ebn Omar, who divorced his wife when
she had her courses upon her, and was therefore obliged to take her again.
e See chapter 2, p. 24.
1 cap. 2, p. 24.
Suffer the women whom ye divorce to dwell in some part of the houses
wherein ye dwell; according to the room and conveniences of the habitations
which ye possess: and make them not uneasy, that ye may reduce them to
straits. And if they be with child, expend on them what shall be needful,
until they be delivered of their burden. And if they suckle their children
for you, give them their hire;f and consult among yourselves, according to
what shall be just and reasonable. And if ye be put to a difficulty herein,
and another woman shall suckle the child for him,
let him who hath plenty expend proportionably in the maintenance of the
mother and the nurse, out of his plenty: and let him whose income is scanty
expend in proportion out of that which GOD hath given him. GOD obligeth no
man to more than he hath given him ability to perform: GOD will cause ease to
succeed hardship.
How many cities have turned aside from the command of the LORD and his
apostles! Wherefore we brought them to a severe account; and we chastised
them with a grievous chastisement:
and they tasted the evil consequence of their business; and the end of
their business was perdition.
10 GOD hath prepared for them a severe punishment: wherefore fear GOD, O ye
who are endued with understanding.
True believers, now hath GOD sent down unto you an admonition, an apostle
who may rehearse unto you the perspicuous signs of GOD; that he may bring
forth those who believe and do good works, from darkness into light. And
whoso believeth in GOD, and doth that which is right, him will he lead into
gardens beneath which rivers flow, to remain therein forever: now hath GOD
made an excellent provision for him.
It is GOD who hath created seven heavens, and as many different stories
of the earth: the divine command descendeth between them;g that ye may know
that GOD is omnipotent, and that GOD comprehendeth all things by his
knowledge.
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