Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | THE FAMILY: THE FOUNDATION OF HUMAN SOCIETYOne is immediately aware of the weight of the whole matter, and of howmeticulously it is being dealt with. Every aspect of it is there to serve a greaterobjective in the overall scheme of things which is being guided and protected by GodAlmighty. It is the system He has perfected for implementation in human life. Hence,He gives His reward to those who implement it, and punishes those who discard orabuse it.The sūrah makes a very detailed and rational presentation of these rules andprinciples, of which there are twelve altogether, intermittently prodding the humanconscience to be aware of its responsibility and accountability. These rules cover avery wide area directly related to marriage and divorce, beginning with theprohibition of marriage with unbelievers, followed by the prohibition of sexualintercourse between married couples when the woman is in menstruation. Here wenote how even this aspect is elevated from a purely physical attraction to a humanfunction that serves important goals. Then follow rulings on faith, suspension ofmarital relations, a divorcee’s waiting period, repeated divorce and the refund of thedowry, the finalization of divorce, breast-feeding when divorce has taken place, awidow’s waiting period, hints of a marriage proposal during such a period, divorcebefore the consummation of marriage and free gifts to a widow or a divorcee. Thefinal comment on all these rulings is: “Thus God makes clear to you His revelations thatyou may understand.” (Verse 242)We note that in all these, the emphasis is on the worship of God. Thus, the Qur’ānrelates man’s behaviour in all these situations to worship, which is, from the Islamicpoint of view, not confined to prayers and rituals. Thus, to further relate prayer toaspects of worship in practical life situations, the sūrah mentions, along with theserulings regulating marriage and divorce, a couple of rulings on prayer in times offear and security. (Verses 238-239)What is worthy of note is that while all these rulings spread an air of worship onall these affairs, no aspect of practical life, human nature or the needs of human life isoverlooked. Islam enacts its laws for a community of human beings, who are neitherangels nor flying aliens. As it elevates people to the pure atmosphere of worshipthrough its rulings and directives, it does not ignore their human nature, prejudices,preferences, weaknesses, feelings, reactions and moments of clear thinking and purefeeling. It works on all these, directing them in a congenial atmosphere to a betterhuman status.Thus we see that Islam allows the suspension of marital relations but restricts it toa maximum of four months. It allows divorce, but regulates it fairly and tries hard tostrengthen the foundations of the family in a balanced way that makes of idealprinciples a daily practice. It is a smooth approach designed to facilitate things, forboth man and woman, in the case when this great institution of the family meets294