Those who take an oath to keep apart from their
wives are given four months (for a final decision),
Then if they resume their relations, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. And if they resolve on divorce, (let them remember that ) Allah hears everything
and knows everything. Divorced women must wait for three monthly courses. And
it is not lawful for them to hide what Allah has created in their wombs, if
they sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day. Their husbands are best
entitled to take them back as their wives
during this waiting period, if they desire reconciliation. Divorce may be
pronounced twice; then either the wife be kept honourably or parted with
gracefully. And it is not lawful for you to
take back anything out of what you have given them.
There is, however, an exception to this; if you fear that they might not
be able to keep within the limits imposed by Allah, there is no harm if both
agree mutually that the wife should obtain divorce by giving something as
compensation to the husband. These are the
bounds set by Allah; therefore do not violate them, for those who violate the
bounds of Allah are the tansgressors. And if the husband divorces his wife (for
the third time), she shall not remain his lawful wife after this (absolute)
divorce, unless she marries another husband and the second husband divorces
her. (In that case) there is no harm if they
re-marry, provided that the woman and her first husband are convinced that they
will be able to keep within the bounds fixed by Allah. And these are Allah's
bounds, which He makes clear for the guidance of those who know (the
consequences of transgression). And when you have divorced your wives and they
are about to complete their prescribed term, then either retain them gracefully
or release them generously. It is transgression to retain them merely for
harassment; and whoever' does that indeed wrongs his own self. Do not play with Allah's Commandments, and
remember that Allah has blessed you with a great favour. He admonishes you to
show due respect to the Book and the Wisdom He has sent to you. Fear Allah and know that He is fully aware of
everything. When you have divorced your wives absolutely and they have
completed their prescribed term, then you should not prevent them from marrying
their prospective husbands, if they mutually agree to marry each other in a
lawful way. You are enjoined not to commit
such an offence,if you sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day. It is most
decent and pure for you to desist from this; Allah knows and you do not know. The
(divorced) mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years, if the fathers
desire the suckling to be completed. In that
case the father of the child shall, in the fair known way, be responsible for
their food and clothing. But none should be burdened with more than one can
bear: neither the mother should be pressed unjustly (to accept unfair terms)
just because she is the mother nor should the father be burdened just because
he is the father. And the same responsibility for the maintenance of the mother
devolves upon the father of the child and his heir.
There is no harm if they wean the child by mutual consent and
consultation. Moreover, there is no harm if you choose to give your children a
suckle by a wet nurse, provided that you pay her fairly. Fear Allah and know it
well that whatever you do is in the sight of Allah. If those of you, who die,
leave wives behind, they should abstain (from marriage) for four months and ten
days. Then when their waiting term expires,
they are free to do whatever they choose for themselves, provided that it is
decent; you shall not be answerable for this; Allah is fully aware of what you
do. It is no offence if you make indirect proposal of marriage to widows during
their waiting term or keep it concealed in your hearts: for Allah knows that
you will naturally think of them. But be careful not to make any secret
engagement. If you have to do anything, do it in an honourable way. And you
should not settle anything finally about the marriage until the waiting term
expires. Understand it well that Allah even knows what is hidden in your
hearts; so fear Him. Also know that Allah is Lenient and Forgiving. It is no
sin if you divorce your wives while you have not yet touched them or fixed any
dower for them. In such a case, pay them something anyhow. A rich man should pay fairly according to his
means and a poor man according to his resources, for this is an obligation on
the righteous people. In case you fixed a dower for them and then divorced them
before you touched them, you should pay half of the fixed dower. But there is
no harm if the woman agrees to forego it or the man, in whose hands is the
marriage tie, is generous enough (to pay the dower in full). And if you (men)
act generously, it is akin to piety. Do not forget to show generosity in your
dealings with one another for Allah sees
what you do.
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