Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | THE FAMILY: THE FOUNDATION OF HUMAN SOCIETY“Do not, however, plight your troth in secret; but speak only in a decent manner.Furthermore, do not resolve on actually making the marriage tie before the prescribed term [ofwaiting] has run its course.” (Verse 235) Once again we note the delicate touches withwhich the Qur’ān approaches sensitive subjects. It does not warn against makingmarriage contracts before the end of the waiting period; it warns against making acommitment, plighting one’s troth.The choice of words at the end of the verse is significant: “Know well that Godknows what is in your minds, so have fear of Him; and know that God is much-Forgiving,Forbearing.” (Verse 235) These closing words refer the whole matter to God’s graceand generosity, appealing directly to Muslims’ respect and fear of God Almighty inconducting their personal and social affairs. This fear and respect are, in themselves,the ultimate guarantee of God’s forgiveness and tolerance towards those whoearnestly and sincerely strive to observe and implement His directives and rulings.Kindness after DivorceThe sūrah then tackles a different, but frequently met, situation, in which a womanis divorced before the consummation of the marriage. It outlines the respective rightsand obligations of both spouses.You will incur no sin if you divorce women before having touched them or settled adowry for them. Provide for them, the rich according to his means and the straitenedaccording to his means. Such a provision, in an equitable manner, is an obligationbinding on the righteous. If you divorce them before having touched them but afterhaving settled a dowry for them, then give them half of that which you have settled,unless they forgo it or he in whose hand is the marriage tie forgoes it. To forgo what isdue to you is closer to being righteous. Do not forget to act benevolently to oneanother. God sees all that you do. (Verses 236-237)Two situations are outlined here. The first involves a woman who is divorcedbefore her marriage had been consummated or a dowry agreed. In this case, thehusband is obliged to recompense her according to his means. Such a gesture wouldhave an immense psychological impact on the woman, who would be devastated athaving her marriage dissolved before it has even begun. It would go a long waytowards dissipating any bitterness or acrimony left in her heart. The unfulfilledmarriage would be understood as an unfortunate mistake rather than a reflection onher suitability or integrity. The aim would be to diffuse the tension and conduct theseverance of the relationship amicably, in a spirit of fairness and with no hardfeelings. Meanwhile, the size of the gift offered in this case is left to the man’sdiscretion and conscience, within his financial ability: “the rich according to his meansand the straitened according to his means. Such a provision, in an equitable manner, is an315